C.J. Gardner-Johnson Roasts Baker Mayfield After Detroit Lions Down Buccaneers
Tampa Bay's playoff run ended in Detroit as the Buccaneers couldn't overcome the playmaking of a ferocious Lions squad on either side of the ball. It was a valiant effort that just wasn't quite enough against one of the hottest teams in the league.
There was plenty of anticipation leading up to the contest against Detroit for a multitude of reasons. Throughout the week, there was a trading of barbs as Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson seemingly took a shot at Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield when referring to the team's talented wide receivers.
"This group probably is one of the better groups we done faced all year, besides that Tampa group,” Gardner-Johnson said last Monday. “If you give that Tampa group a good quarterback, that’s a great group. Evans, Godwin, (Russell) Gage, that’s a great group. I played against them for real.”
Naturally, the quote led to a response from Mayfield where he fired back at Gardner-Johnson.
“I mean, I don't think he's really watched film because he mentioned Russell Gage. You know, we love Russell, but he hasn’t played a snap this year for us," Mayfield said prior to the game. "He must be going off the preseason stuff the media was talking about but he didn't play our first game so I'm excited to see him. I think he's a really good player….just needs to do a little more film study."
That meant a little extra fuel was thrown on the fire for both sides on Sunday. It was evident from the get-go as there was plenty of chatter between the Buccaneers and Lions.
Ultimately, Detroit got the last laugh after picking off Mayfield on Tampa Bay's final possession of the night. The turnover secured the Lions' second ever appearance in the NFC Championship Game.
Following the win over Mayfield and the Buccaneers, Gardner-Johnson took to Instagram Live to celebrate the victory while roasting the quarterback in the process. He chided Mayfield about his interception in the opening quarter.
Gardner-Johnson picked off Mayfield in the first quarter on a pass that deflected off of Mike Evans' hand. After the play, he tossed the ball into his arms on the sideline.
"That boy said 'boy you don't watch film'. Boy I called the play within two minutes of the game," Gardner-Johnson said. "And I tossed that b---h back at you too. I hope you got it, make sure you send that with the jersey too."
Mayfield recorded his second straight 300+ yard passing performance of the postseason but was also picked off twice for just the second time all year. While the turnover to Gardner-Johnson isn't on him, his final throw of the season was one that he would love to have back.
The focus for the Buccaneers turns to retain Mayfield and a slew of other players who are up for contract extensions. Gardner-Johnson and the Lions will be moving on to face the San Francisco 49ers in their pursuit of a Super Bowl.
Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage, news, and analysis throughout the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2023 season.
