When discussing theTampa Bay Buccaneers’ strong start to the season,Baker Mayfield’s leadership cannot be overlooked. The quarterback has propelled the team to a perfect 3-0 record, showcasing his full talent and playing a pivotal role in the Buccaneers’ recent victory over the New York Jets.
The New York Jets put up a fierce fight against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, delivering one of the standout games of Week 3 in the 2025 NFL season. Both teams came eager to showcase their best performances, thrilling fans with a high-energy, hard-fought matchup.
Nevertheless, the game provided a special opportunity for Baker Mayfield, not just as the leader of the Buccaneers’ offense, but also for the impact he could have on the matchup, fueled in part by lingering tension with one of the Jets’ coaches.
Baker Mayfield delivers clear message to Jets coach
The matchup against the Jets was an intense battle, with the Buccaneers finding their key to victory in Baker Mayfield’s leadership. Beyond securing the win, the game offered Mayfield the perfect stage to showcase his talent and send a strong message to Jets’ defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.
This story carries added significance, as Baker Mayfield and Steve Wilks share history from their time with the Carolina Panthers, Wilks serving first as the defensive passing game coordinator and later as the team’s interim head coach while Mayfield was a player.
“Their defensive coordinator, Steve Wilks, was the one who cut me in Carolina. A lot of stuff was personal today, Haason Reddick, former Jet, a lot of people,” Baker Mayfield said in the postgame press conference, breaking his silence and addressing the tensions surrounding the matchup.
The story behind Bakerfield and the Jets Coach
Baker Mayfield had been waiting for the perfect moment to exact his revenge on Steve Wilks, as the Buccaneers’ star quarterback was often doubted by Wilks during his time with the Carolina Panthers.
Throughout his career, Baker Mayfield has often faced doubt over his playing style, and he seizes every opportunity to prove his critics wrong. According to Justin Fried of the Jet Press, he delved deeper into the complicated history between Mayfield and Steve Wilks.
“Mayfield’s mention of Wilks traces back to 2022, when both were with the Carolina Panthers. Mayfield arrived that summer after a rocky exit from Cleveland, hoping to revive his career,” Fried wrote. He added, “Wilks, then the team’s interim head coach after Matt Rhule was fired, clearly wasn’t sold on him.”
“Mayfield started six games for the Panthers but struggled to find consistency, throwing just six touchdowns against six interceptions. By November, he had lost the starting job, and in December, Wilks made the call to release him following Mayfield’s request,” Fried explained, detailing the strained history between the two.
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