Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles recently addressed the rising tension between quarterback Baker Mayfield and Atlanta Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski during an interview with Josina Anderson. Bowles remarked on the competitive nature of their upcoming NFC South matchups, stating, “we can’t have a boxing match where they get in the ring with each other and knock each other out.” The rivalry stems from Mayfield's tumultuous exit from the Cleveland Browns after the 2021 season, where he felt disrespected by Stefanski's lack of communication. Mayfield previously expressed his frustration on social media, but he has since softened his stance, indicating that while there is history, it’s not a personal vendetta. Meanwhile, teammate Lavonte David shared insights on Mayfield's struggles during the 2025 season, attributing his decline in performance to multiple injuries. The Buccaneers, who started the season strong at 5-2, faced challenges that affected their overall performance.