Baker Mayfield and C.J. Gardner-Johnson made headlines earlier this week when the Detroit Lions’ safety implied the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback wasn’t good enough for this level of playoff football. Mayfield aptly roasted Gardner-Johnson’s film preparation but otherwise left this beef with a defender simmering on the stovetop.
Both players reignited this little back and forth right away during the Lions’ divisional-round matchup with the Buccaneers.
After Gardner-Johnson intercepted a tipped pass off Mike Evans’ hands, he put on the moves during a marvelous return. And by the end of it, Gardner-Johnson found Mayfield standing by him on the sideline.
He simply couldn’t resist the temptation to flip the ball into his hands:
Tipped and picked by CJ Gardner-Johnson!
📺: #TBvsDET on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/frRD38ClOq pic.twitter.com/YywC0LjHRm— NFL (@NFL) January 21, 2024
After the game, Gardner-Johnson tweeted a cheeky response to the whole affair.
Watch more film then you think !!! https://t.co/LWLgPaePWX
— C.J. Gardner-Johnson (@CGJXXIII) January 22, 2024
The pick itself might not have been entirely on Mayfield. But it’s amusing exchanges like this that make it clear Gardner-Johnson knows how to play mind games and get under the skin of opposing players. Beyond being a ballhawk defensive back, that’s what makes him so valuable to the integrity of the Lions’ defense.
