Baker Mayfield is clearly not one to shy away from history’s lessons.
After defeating the Jets, Mayfield—who mentioned that Steve Wilkes, the defensive coordinator, was responsible for his release from the Panthers—addressed a misleading statement that had raised eyebrows.
“Coach [Todd] Bowles never brought it up; it’s one of those silent things. But once you’re there, and you’re the last guy to take [them], I think that could mean something significant for the playoffs,” Mayfield commented during an appearance on Mark Sanchez’s new show on Fox Sports Digital.
However, it’s worth noting that Bowles wasn’t the last coach to lead the Jets into the playoffs—that honor went to Rex Ryan. In fact, the Jets didn’t make the postseason at all during Bowles’ four-year coaching stint.
Back in 2015, they finished with a respectable 10-6 record, but a heartbreaking loss in the final week against Buffalo meant they missed out.
Bowles ultimately faced a last-place finish in the AFC East before being let go.
But Mayfield, it seems, isn’t done just yet. He continues to talk about his teammate, Herson Reddick, who joined the Buccaneers this season.
“We’ve learned more about him during the offseason and the challenges he’s facing,” Mayfield shared.
Given Reddick’s challenging past in New York, it’s clear he’s eager to prove himself against his former team. Still, some might argue that the way the Jets handled his situation wasn’t exactly ideal.
Negotiations with Reddick fell short in the first weeks of the season, leaving the defensive end in a less-than-favorable position.
After switching agents and hiring Drew Rosenhaus, Reddick managed to secure a new contract with the Jets in relatively quick order.
While Reddick likely has his own perspective on things, it doesn’t necessarily imply that the Jets were entirely at fault.
Wilkes has already dismissed the suggestion that he solely decided to cut Mayfield, stating that as interim coach, he had limited influence over the Panthers’ roster decisions.
