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2h ago

Steve Wilks Pushes Back on Baker Mayfield’s ‘Cut Me in Carolina’ Claim

The Jets coordinator argues interim coaches don’t control roster moves, a stance that conflicts with a 2022 remark in which he called Mayfield’s release his decision.

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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 20: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Carolina Panthers talks with head coach Steve Wilks against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Overview

  • Baker Mayfield said Tampa Bay’s 29-27 Week 3 win felt personal, asserting the Jets’ Steve Wilks was the coach who cut him during their 2022 stint in Carolina.
  • Speaking Friday, Wilks countered that interim coaches lack personnel authority and cited the Panthers trading Christian McCaffrey soon after he took over as evidence.
  • Archived comments from 2022 show Wilks calling Mayfield’s release “a tough decision on my part,” while contemporaneous reporting noted the move was described as mutual after Mayfield requested to be let go.
  • The on-field spark for the exchange was Mayfield’s seven-play, 48-yard drive to set up Chase McLaughlin’s game-winning field goal, moving the Buccaneers to 3-0 and dropping the Jets to 0-3.
  • Further coverage noted Mayfield later made an inaccurate claim about Todd Bowles being the last Jets coach to reach the playoffs, as scrutiny of Wilks’ interim tenure and the Jets’ late-game lapses continues.