Jets' Wilks Responds to Mayfield's Critical Remarks, Shades Panthers' McCaffrey Trade

New York Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks responded to criticism from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.

"I don't really think an interim coach has that much authority over personnel," Wilks told reporters Friday. "If that's the case, I would've never gotten rid of our best player, Christian McCaffrey."

After the Buccaneers secured a 29-27 victory over the Jets in Week 3, Mayfield told the media that he had added motivation to win the game because "their D-coordinator was the one that cut me in Carolina."

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Wilks previously served as the interim head coach for the Carolina Panthers during the 2022 season, with the team trading McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers in the middle of the year.

Matt Rhule opened the year as Carolina's head coach in 2022, but was fired and replaced by Wilks after five games with the team holding a 1-4 record.

Mayfield also began the 2022 season under center for the Panthers, starting five games until he was sidelined with an ankle sprain. He came back to start one more contest in Week 11 and lost, eventually falling behind Sam Darnold and PJ Walker on Carolina's depth chart.

Despite Wilks' comments on Friday, he appeared to take accountability for the choice to part ways with Mayfield in 2022.

"This is a tough business," Wilks said at the time, per ESPN's David Newton. "Sitting in this seat, it was a tough decision on my part, but something I felt like was the best move for the team moving forward."

He also noted that Mayfield asked to be released after learning he wouldn't be the starter or backup moving forward, via Newton.

The quarterback went on to close out the year with the Los Angeles Rams before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the ensuing offseason. Mayfield has undergone a career resurgence in Tampa Bay, earning Pro Bowl nods in both 2023 and 2024.

This season, he's thrown for 615 yards and six touchdowns without tossing an interception in three games.

As for McCaffrey, he quickly developed into a star in Carolina after the team selected him with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft. Still, he was hampered by injuries before the team dealt him to the 49ers near the start of Wilks' tenure as interim head coach.

McCaffrey continued to excel in San Francisco, earning Offensive Player of the Year honors for his 2023 campaign before health issues limited him to just four appearances in 2024.

The 29-year-old has compiled 389 all-purpose yards and one touchdown to open the 2025 season.