Baker Mayfield’s 2022 exit from the Cleveland Browns, clouded by viral accusations, sparked lasting controversy. At present, the quarterback is thriving with the Buccaneers. Meanwhile, Steelers’ Breiden Fehoko has reopened the old Browns feud with a sharp jab at Odell Beckham Sr. and his son.

“You know how powerful this app is? Odell Beckham’s daddy had the world thinking Baker Mayfield was a bad QB for years,” Fehoko wrote on X. He pointed out the drama that once fractured the Cleveland locker room and hurt Mayfield’s image.

Back in 2021, the 30-year-old QB was battling through a shoulder injury while hoping to secure a long-term deal after a strong 2020 season. The Browns were struggling, and tensions with Odell Beckham Jr. only made things worse. Then came the viral moment.

Beckham’s father, a former LSU running back, Odell Beckham Sr., posted a video accusing Mayfield of ignoring his son on the field. The clip exploded online, sparking chaos.

Days later, the Browns released Beckham Jr., a move that upset fans and teammates alike, especially since he was known for mentoring younger players and building locker room bonds. However, his career with the Browns failed to take off due to recurring injuries and a lack of offensive chemistry that limited his impact on the field.

He then signed with the Rams and quickly made an impact, helping them win Super Bowl LVI before tearing his ACL during the game. After missing the entire 2022 season recovering from injury, he joined the Ravens in 2023 for a short stint.

Despite their friendship, Beckham never reached out to Mayfield after the video dropped. The fallout was personal. They stopped hanging out, gaming together, even traveling with teammates.

Mayfield kept playing through the pain during the 2021 season with the Browns, but his performance tanked. He threw four interceptions against the Green Bay Packers  in Week 16 (December 25, 2021) and two more against the Steelers in Week 17 (January 3, 2022).

It got so bad that some insiders speculated about internal tensions and questioned whether the Browns were positioning to replace him. Mayfield’s time in Cleveland officially ended in July 2022, when the Browns traded him to the Carolina Panthers following their blockbuster deal for Deshaun Watson.

After a rocky season split between Carolina and the Rams, the QB signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023, where he has since revived his career and earned a multi-year extension. While Beckham Jr. is a free agent, still active, and recently dismissed retirement rumors with a firm “Not done yet.”

Mayfield is thriving with the Buccaneers at present, rewriting his story through clutch plays.

Mayfield wants more wins this season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been performing strongly in 2025, with Baker Mayfield playing a major role. In his three years with the team, he has helped them win consistently.

This season, he led victories against the Atlanta Falcons and Houston Texans, respectively. The quarterback threw a clutch 25-yard TD to rookie Emeka Egbuka in Week 1. In Week 2 vs. Houston, he led a final-minute drive capped by Rachaad White’s rushing touchdown.

Coming off his best season in 2024, where he threw 41 touchdowns, 4,500 yards, and made the Pro Bowl, Mayfield has shown leadership and experience.

Coach Todd Bowles praised his calm decision-making under pressure. He has stabilized the offense despite injuries to Evans and Godwin, boosting teamwork and leading late-game scoring drives.

Overall, Mayfield has proven himself as a true franchise quarterback, bringing toughness, leadership, and talent to keep Tampa Bay competitive and chasing another playoff run.