Baker Mayfield has always worn his heart on his sleeve. Love him or hate him, the man doesn't hide what he's feeling. And right now, he's feeling vindicated - and he wants Kevin Stefanski to know it.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback went scorched earth on social media, responding to a critic by taking a direct shot at his former coach in Cleveland: "Failed is quite the reach pal. Still waiting on a text/call from [Kevin Stefanski] after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage. Can't wait to see you twice a year, Coach."

Ouch.

Let's rewind the tape here. The Cleveland Browns made Mayfield the No. 1 overall pick in 2018. He brought them their first winning season in over a decade. He ended their playoff drought. He gave that tortured fanbase hope.

Then they traded for Deshaun Watson, handed him a fully guaranteed $230 million contract, and sent Baker packing to Carolina like yesterday's trash. No call. No explanation. No respect.

Mayfield landed in Tampa, found his footing, and has been playing some of the best football of his career. Meanwhile, Watson has been injured and ineffective, the Browns have been a disaster, and Stefanski - despite his Coach of the Year awards - hasn't exactly covered himself in glory.

Now Baker's calling him out publicly. And here's the thing: he's earned the right to do it.

This isn't sour grapes. This is a guy who gave everything to a franchise, got tossed aside without so much as a phone call, and then proved everyone wrong by thriving elsewhere. The Bucs and Browns don't play twice a year since they're in different conferences, but you better believe Mayfield will be circling any future matchups on his calendar.

Stefanski could have handled the transition better. A phone call. A conversation. Something that acknowledges what Mayfield meant to that franchise. Instead, radio silence. And now it's coming back to bite him.

Baker Mayfield might not be perfect. He might be emotional, brash, sometimes too confident for his own good. But he's authentic. And when you disrespect authentic, it doesn't forget.

That's what sports is all about, folks. Redemption. Vindication. And making sure everyone who doubted you knows they were wrong.