Steve Wilks insists there’s no beef with Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Last weekend, following their last-second win against the Jets, Mayfield said Tampa Bay’s victory was “personal” because “their D-coordinator was the one that cut me in Carolina.”
When asked about Mayfield’s comments on Friday, Wilks had nothing but admiration for Mayfield.
“A lot of respect for Baker, tremendous football player, and he’s doing a hell of a job with those guys down there,” Wilks said. “Nothing really to say beyond that.
But Wilks did have more to say and was quick to point out that it was not his decision to release Mayfield back in 2022.
“I don’t know how long you’ve been doing this,” Wilks said to the reporter who asked the question. “But I’m sure you’re quite educated on it. I don’t really think an interim coach has that much authority over personnel. If that’s the case, I would have never gotten rid of our best player, Christian McCaffrey.”
Wilks became the Panthers’ interim coach after Matt Rhule was fired five games into that season, following the team’s 1-4 start. The Panthers released Mayfield in December following a mutual decision between the quarterback and the team. Mayfield requested his release after being demoted to third-string quarterback behind QBs Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker.
Carolina traded McCaffrey shortly after Wilks became the Panthers’ interim coach.
Mayfield, whom the Browns selected No. 1 overall in 2018, was traded to the Panthers ahead of the 2022 season. In seven games in Carolina, Mayfield passed for 1,313 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions and went 1-5 in his six starts.
After the Panthers released him, the Rams claimed Mayfield off waivers. The following season, Mayfield signed a one-year deal with Tampa Bay and has resurrected his career in Florida. After he threw for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and an NFC South division title, Mayfield agreed to a three-year, $100 million contract in 2024.
Whatever happened between Mayfield and Wilks while in Carolina, he exacted some revenge after Tampa Bay defeated Gang Green 29-27 following Chase McClaughlin’s game-winning 36-yard field goal as time expired.
Wilks has been feeling the heat because of the Jets’ 0-3 and their defense has taken a step back under his watch. After finishing in the top three defensively in yards allowed the previous three seasons, the Jets have one of the worst defenses in the NFL heading into Week 4. They rank 22nd in yards (340.3) and 29th in points allowed (31)
The Jets have also lost two of their three games this season by a late-game field goal.
“I think it’s a lot that goes into play and that starts with me,” Wilks said. “Really putting the guys in position to be successful and then most importantly right here just making the plays when given the opportunity.
“I think, as you evaluate us throughout the first three games, you saw us do some great things from a standpoint of stopping the run, making plays in the red zone, and doing a good job on third down, but the key thing is our ability to finish and close the game out.”
