After guiding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 29-27 victory over the New York Jets, quarterback Baker Mayfield was ecstatic to earn the win against a defense run by a familiar face.

“Their D-coordinator (Steve Wilks) was the one who cut me in Carolina,” Mayfield told reporters. “A lot of stuff was personal today. Haason Reddick. Former Jet. A lot of people.”

Mayfield finished his day completing 65.5% of his passes for 233 yards and a touchdown, adding 44 yards on the ground and avoiding any turnovers. He took just one sack and posted a 101.7 passer rating against a Jets defense that has struggled mightily to begin the season.

Mayfield’s history with Wilks dates back to their short stint together in Carolina. After being dealt from Cleveland in the summer of 2022, Mayfield hoped for a reset with the Panthers. Wilks, who stepped in as interim coach after Matt Rhule’s dismissal, wasn’t convinced he was the long-term answer.

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After beating out Sam Darnold in a competition, Mayfield opened that season with six starts, but his production never took off, posting six touchdown passes and six interceptions while leading the team to a 1-5 record. By midseason, he had lost the job, and in December, Mayfield asked out after learning he would not be the starter or backup for the rest of the season. Wilks granted the request and cut ties.

Meanwhile, Buccaneers outside linebacker Haason Reddick made several key plays against his former team in the Week 3 win, including a tackle for loss to prevent the Jets from converting a fourth down attempt in the second quarter.

For Mayfield, Sunday wasn’t just about another win; it was about sticking it to the coach who once gave up on him.