Baker Mayfield reacts angrily to the Lions safety’s remark about a “good quarterback.”
Baker Mayfield did not react negatively to Lions defensive end Chauncey Gardner-Johnson’s jab at him while seated. Mayfield, age 28, appeared to believe that the defender had not done an extensive study of the Buccaneers.
On Wednesday, the quarterback for the Buccaneers responded to Gardner-Johnson’s remark that the wide receiver group in Tampa could be formidable “if you gave that Tampa bunch a good quarterback.”
Mayfield replied, “I don’t believe he’s watched films, given that he mentioned Russell Gage.” “We adore Russell, but he has not taken a snap for us in the entire season.” He must be coming off preseason nonsense that the press was discussing.”
Gage has been sidelined for the entire season due to the knee injury that ended his season he sustained in August over a joint practice with the New England Jets. Gardner-Johnson was right to anticipate that Mayfield would notice.
Perhaps he did not anticipate that Mayfield would capitalize on a glaring error in the aforementioned derogatory remarks.
Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson initiated this week’s pregame confrontation with a significant tackle on Baker Mayfield after the setup of their divisional-round matchup. On Sunday, the Buccaneers are going to face the Lions.
When queried on Wednesday, Mayfield composedly noted that Gardner-Johnson’s assertion that Russell Gage was one of the Buccaneers’ most outstanding wide receivers cast doubt on his expertise regarding the team.
Gage, who recorded 426 receiving yards over Tampa Bay in 2022–23, has been sidelined following a patellar tendon tear in training camp.
Baker Mayfield advised Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson this week that he should improve his film study in response to his remark that the Buccaneers lack a competent quarterback.
Last week, when asked how he was preparing for the Rams, Gardner-Johnson told the newspaper, “With the possible exception of the Tampa group, this is one of the better opponents we’ve faced all year.”
If you could provide that Tampa group with a competent quarterback, they would be an incredible group. Evans, Godwin, and Russell Gage constitute an outstanding trio. “I competed against them in a game.”
Mayfield replied on Wednesday, “Given that he mentioned Russell Gage, I doubt he has watched much film.” “As much as we adore Russell, he has not contributed a single snap for us this entire season.”
During a joint camp of practice with the New York Jets, Gage suffered a season-ending severed patellar tendon within his right knee; Trey Palmer, David Moore, and Deven Thompkins have filled the void.
Mayfield, who signed a one-year contract with the Bucs in the offseason following the retirement of Tom Brady, guided the team to a 9-8 record and the NFC South championship on Monday night with a resounding 32-9 victory over the Eagles in the wild-card round.
Mayfield, who is now 2-1 all-time in the postseason, disregarded the situation and expressed his excitement at facing the Lions’ skilled safety, who is notorious for his willingness to make derogatory remarks. Gardner-Johnson’s disparaging remarks have occasionally intensified.
He received three punches from different receivers in 2021 alone. Due to a torn pectoral muscle, Gardner-Johnson lost the Lions’ 20-6 victory over the Bucs in Tampa in Week 6.
“He must be going based on preseason stuff that the media was talking about,” indicated Mayfield. “Giddy up to see him!” In my opinion, he is an exceptionally talented player. He has been there for some time now.
“On every team he has been a member of, he has had a significant impact,” Mayfield stated. “So, he’s an excellent player, but yeah, I just got to finish a little bit more film study.”
Against the Eagles, Mayfield completed 337 passes for 337 yards as well as three touchdowns, becoming the first quarterback in Buccaneers playoff history to throw for 300 yards as well as three touchdowns.
Mayfield finished the final six weeks of the NFL regular season with 1,456 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, both of which were seventh-highest in the league.
His 4,044 passing yards ranked ninth-most during the regular season, while his 28 touchdowns ranked seventh-most.