Steve Wilks insists there’s no beef with Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Final weekend, following their last-second win in opposition to the Jets, Mayfield stated Tampa Bay’s victory was “personal” as a result of “their D-coordinator was the one that cut me in Carolina.”
When requested about Mayfield’s feedback on Friday, Wilks had nothing however 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 stated. “Nothing actually to say past that.
However Wilks did have extra to say and was fast to level out that it was not his determination to launch Mayfield again in 2022.
“I don’t know how long you’ve been doing this,” Wilks stated to the reporter who requested the query. “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 grew to become the Panthers’ interim coach after Matt Rhule was fired 5 video games into that season, following the crew’s 1-4 begin. The Panthers launched Mayfield in December following a mutual determination between the quarterback and the crew. Mayfield requested his launch after being demoted to third-string quarterback behind QBs Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker.
Carolina traded McCaffrey shortly after Wilks grew to become the Panthers’ interim coach.
Mayfield, whom the Browns chosen No. 1 total in 2018, was traded to the Panthers forward of the 2022 season. In seven video games in Carolina, Mayfield handed for 1,313 yards, six touchdowns and 6 interceptions and went 1-5 in his six begins.
After the Panthers launched him, the Rams claimed Mayfield off waivers. The next season, Mayfield signed a one-year cope with Tampa Bay and has resurrected his profession 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.
No matter occurred between Mayfield and Wilks whereas in Carolina, he exacted some revenge after Tampa Bay defeated Gang Inexperienced 29-27 following Chase McClaughlin’s game-winning 36-yard discipline aim as time expired.
Wilks has been feeling the warmth due to the Jets’ 0-3 and their protection has taken a step again beneath his watch. After ending within the high three defensively in yards allowed the earlier three seasons, the Jets have one of many worst defenses within the NFL heading into Week 4. They rank twenty second in yards (340.3) and twenty ninth in factors allowed (31)
The Jets have additionally misplaced two of their three video games this season by a late-game discipline aim.
“I think it’s a lot that goes into play and that starts with me,” Wilks stated. “Actually placing the fellows in place to achieve success after which most significantly proper right here simply making the performs when given the chance.
“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.”
