(Video) Baker Mayfield Takes a Subtle Dig at CJ Gardner-Johnson After Bucs’ Comeback Win over Texans

Baker Mayfield and CJ Gardner-Johnson had a heated moment in the middle of the field after Mayfield nearly hurt his leg.

(Video) Baker Mayfield Takes a Subtle Dig at CJ Gardner-Johnson After Bucs’ Comeback Win over Texans

Baker Mayfield and CJ Gardner-Johnson exchange words (Image via IMAGO/X)

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New team, but the same old CJ Gardner-Johnson. It seems he has not learned from his previous encounters with Baker Mayfield. He made the cardinal mistake of taunting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback.

The Houston Texans welcomed the reigning NFC South champions to their home base on Monday, aiming to secure their first win of the season, following an opening-day defeat to the Los Angeles Rams.

Meanwhile, the Bucs had grabbed a narrow victory over divisional rivals, the Atlanta Falcons, to start their campaign. Despite the winning start to the season, the Buccaneers traveled to Houston as the underdogs, where they last tasted victory in 2003.

The Bucs led 14-10 at the start of the fourth quarter. Around the 9-minute mark, Mayfield ran with the ball on 3rd and 10 before the Texans’ defensive end Will Anderson Jr. tackled him to the ground.

Mayfield looked hurt but immediately got back up when CJ Gardner-Johnson started smack-talking to his face. Most players would have walked away, but Mayfield threw a few words right back at the veteran safety.

Later, reporters asked Mayfield to explain the heated moment between him and Gardner-Johnson.

Yeah, just me and my buddy Chauncey in the open field.

Baker Mayfield said

Mayfield called CJGJ by his first name, which may sound like a sign of respect, but the reality is much different. These two athletes don’t like each other.

The rivalry started right before the Buccaneers’ 2023 NFC Divisional round clash against CJGJ’s Detroit Lions. CJGJ taunted the Bucs by claiming they needed a better quarterback.

If you give that Tampa group a good quarterback, that’s a great group. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Russell Gage. That’s a great group.

CJ Gardner-Johnson had said

Mayfield retorted,

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. 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.

The Lions won the fixture 31-23. Gardner-Johnson even secured an interception from Mayfield. The Lions would eventually lose to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game.

Mayfield exacted his revenge against the Lions in the following season. CJGJ didn’t play because he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason, and now he’s part of the Texans’ secondary.

Baker Mayfield gets the last laugh against CJ Gardner-Johnson

The Texans won the ball back on downs. Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn scored from 53 yards before running back Nick Chubb’s 25-yard score gave the home team a six-point lead.

(Video) Baker Mayfield Takes a Subtle Dig at CJ Gardner-Johnson After Bucs' Comeback Win over Texans
Baker Mayfield (Image via IMAGO)

Mayfield and the Buccaneers had just under two minutes on the clock to score a touchdown. He led an 11-play drive for nearly 80 yards before setting up Rachaad White, who bulldozed his way through the Texans’ defense for a two-yard score. The Texans didn’t have any time for a reply. It finished 20-19.

Baker Mayfield ended the game with 25 completions from 38 tries for 215 yards and two touchdowns. According to Buccaneers Communications,

With his second multi-touchdown performance of the season, Baker Mayfield overtook Josh Freeman (23) for the third-most games in franchise history with 2+ passing touchdowns.

White had 10 carries for 65 yards and one score, while Bucky Irving rushed 17 times for 71 yards and caught 6 passes for 50 yards. Rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka caught four passes for 29 yards and one score. Veteran Ryan Miller scored one TD from his lone reception.

The Buccaneers improved to 2-0 for the season. Up next, they take on the 0-2 New York Jets in Florida.

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