Wilks disputes Mayfield grievance as Jets focus on finishing against Dolphins
Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks says Baker Mayfield’s Carolina grievance is misguided, as New York preps for a Monday night showdown with Miami and tries to finish games down the stretch.
New York Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks pushed back Friday on Baker Mayfield’s suggestion that Wilks was the Panthers executive who cut him in 2022, saying the grievance is misguided. Mayfield, who led Tampa Bay to a last-second 29-27 win over the Jets on Sunday, said beating Wilks felt personal because he believed Wilks was the one that cut him in Carolina that year. Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in 2018, joined the Panthers in a 2022 trade and appeared in seven games, going 1-5 in six starts before Carolina granted his request for a release in December and he finished the season with the Rams. He signed with Tampa Bay for 2023 and has helped the Buccaneers start the season well. Wilks has since said there was no lingering personnel influence by an interim coach in Carolina, and he acknowledged Mayfield’s football talents in the present.
Wilks, who replaced Matt Rhule on an interim basis in October 2022 after the Panthers opened 1-4, said an interim coach doesn’t have broad authority over personnel decisions. “If that’s the case, I wouldn’t have gotten rid of our best player, Christian McCaffrey,” he quipped. The Panthers eventually traded McCaffrey to the 49ers ten days after Rhule was fired. Wilks added, “A lot of respect for Baker, tremendous football player, and he’s doing a hell of a job with those guys down there [in Tampa].”
Back in Tampa Bay’s win over the Jets, Wilks’ defense has shown moments but also needs to finish. The Jets, who will be without starting linebacker Quincy Williams (shoulder) for at least the next four weeks, sit at 0-3 to start the season. They rank 22nd in yards allowed per game (340.3) through the first three weeks. Wilks said there is accountability on him to put players in position to succeed and, more importantly, to finish when the opportunity presents itself. “There’s a lot that goes into play, and that starts with me,” Wilks said. “Putting guys in position to be successful, and then most importantly, just making the plays when given the opportunity. I think as you evaluate us the first three games, I think we did some great things from the standpoint of stopping the run and 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.”
The Jets’ latest setback came in a late sequence capped by a blocked field-goal attempt that was returned for a touchdown by Will McDonald IV, followed by a drive that ended with a game-winning field goal for the Buccaneers. Wilks said the focus now shifts to finishing against the Dolphins on Monday night. “One of the things we have to do defensively — as you’ve seen we’ve done a lot of great things throughout these first three weeks — but we gotta find a way to finish,” he said. “That’s the key thing for us on defense. One touchdown, holding those guys to five field goals, it doesn’t really mean anything when you can’t finish in the end. That’s where we are right now, and that’s our challenge this week.”
The Jets, who have endured a winless start, will look to rebound against a Dolphins team that has produced its own high-powered offense early in the season. Wilks stressed a balanced approach that emphasizes not just holding opponents to points but closing out drives and finishing the game strong. He also expressed respect for Mayfield’s continued impact in the league, noting the quarterback’s growth since leaving Carolina.
The Jets will travel to face Miami, seeking to avoid a fourth straight loss to start the year, while Wilks continues to refine a defense that has shown potential but has yet to deliver a full-game result. Through three games, Wilks has acknowledged the work ahead and the need for a complete effort on Sunday and beyond.