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Marc Raimondi
ATLANTA — New Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski took the high road in response to Baker Mayfield’s incendiary recent X post.
Stefanski was asked about Mayfield’s comments at his introductory news conference Tuesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mayfield, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback, wrote Jan. 20 that Stefanski never called or texted him after the Cleveland Browns shipped him away «like a piece of garbage.» Mayfield was Stefanski’s quarterback in Cleveland in 2020 and 2021.
«Baker’s somebody that I have a ton of respect for as a player and a person,» Stefanski said. «I love rivalries in sports and obviously Buccaneers-Falcons have a great rivalry. It’s something that I’m excited about, but I would not get into the specifics of those type of things other than to say I have a ton of respect for Baker as a player, as a person. That’s a great team with a great player.»
Bijan Robinson on the phone and complimented him as a player and human being.
«This is a special person that everybody told me about, but then I got to see for myself what type of person he is and he’s team-oriented,» Stefanski said of Robinson. «He’s an intelligent player and there’s no shortage to what he can do with the football in his hands and that’s our job as coaches to find ways to get that ball in his hands.»
Stefanski said he is a «maniac» about player development and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is a player he is looking forwarded to working with. Penix is currently recovering from left ACL surgery and Stefanski said he is «attacking his rehab.»
«I think you see a player on tape that can get through progressions, can layer the ball, can push the ball to all areas of the field,» Stefanski said. «Obviously, was very productive in college, has had some really, really, really good moments here in the pros. So, I just see a young player that will continue to develop and continue to get better.»
