Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield: Former Panthers Head Coach and Jets DC Steve Wilks Responds To Comments

Chris Johnson

The NFL saw a dramatic showdown this past Sunday when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers edged out the New York Jets 29-27. However, the post-game narrative quickly shifted from the on-field heroics to a personal feud reignited between Baker Mayfield and Jets Defensive Coordinator Steve Wilks, stemming from their time together with the Carolina Panthers in 2022. What was said?

Mayfield Has Resurrected His Career

Mayfield, who has revitalized his career with the Buccaneers, didn’t hold back after the win. “I loved it, and also their D-coordinator was the one that cut me in Carolina,” he said, referencing Wilks, who served as the Panthers’ interim head coach during Mayfield’s turbulent stint. The quarterback’s comments suggest a lingering grudge, trying to tie the victory to a personal vendetta against Wilks, who was instrumental in the decision to waive Mayfield after a disappointing 1-5 record with the Panthers.

Wilks, responding on Friday, fired back with a measured yet pointed rebuttal, “I don’t really think an interim coach has that much authority over personnel. If that’s the case, I would’ve never gotten rid of our best player, Christian McCaffrey,” he said. This remark not only defends his limited role in personnel decisions but also takes a subtle jab at the Panthers’ management, hinting at the controversial trade of McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers during his tenure.

The backstory adds fuel to the fire. In 2022, Mayfield struggled with injuries and inconsistent play, leading to his demotion and eventual release at his own request. Wilks, at the time, described it as a tough but necessary move for the team. Meanwhile, the McCaffrey trade, executed shortly after Wilks took over, remains a polarizing decision. The running back thrived in San Francisco, while the Panthers’ return has yet to yield significant results.

Conclusion

This exchange has sparked debate among fans and analysts, with some viewing Mayfield’s comments as motivational fuel for his resurgence, while others see Wilks’ response as a clever deflection. As the season progresses, this rivalry could add an extra layer of intrigue to future matchups. For now, Mayfield’s 3-0 Buccaneers are riding high, while Wilks and the Jets look to rebound from their early struggles. This personal subplot promises to keep the NFL headlines buzzing.

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