Baker Mayfield Responds To C.J. Gardner-Johnson Blast

January 17th, 2024

Helps to watch film.

So Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson took a swipe at Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield this week. Today, Mayfield responded with kind words and helpful advice.

Gardner-Johnson told the Detroit Free-Press, while giving Mike Evans and Chris Godwin props, that there is only one thing holding Tampa Bay back from destroying the NFL. That would be a quarterback.

“If you give that Tampa group a good quarterback, that’s a great group,” Gardner-Johnson said. “Evans, Godwin, (Russell) Gage, that’s a great group. I played against them for real.”

Mayfield’s response? He suggested Gardner-Johnson, as good of a player he is, may want to watch tape of the Bucs offense.

“I don’t think he has really watched film,” Mayfield said today. “Because he mentioned Russell Gage. We love Russell but Russell hasn’t played a snap all year for us.

“[Gardner-Johnson] must be going off the preseason stuff that the media was talking about. He didn’t play our first game so we are really excited to see him.”

That’s true. Gardner-Johnson missed the October Bucs game on injured reserve. He came off the injured reserve list late in the season.

“I think he is a really good player,” Mayfield added. “He has been for a while. He’s been an impactful guy for every team he has been on.

“He’s a good player. But, yeah, just got to do a little more film study.”

So coming Sunday, will Mayfield try to buzz a few passes past Gardner-Johnson’s ear? Joe doesn’t think Mayfield will fall for that trick. Too much on the line.

Now, if the Bucs have a three-score lead late with the ball, well, hey, you never know.

71 Responses to “Baker Mayfield Responds To C.J. Gardner-Johnson Blast”

  1. TomBucsFan Says:

    Go Bucs

  2. D-Rok Says:

    Subtle, yet clever response. To quote Jameis, CJ should check his sheets.

  3. HC Grover Says:

    HAHAHA. Stink reject.

  4. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Well, we haven’t lost yet…so I’m going to dream of winning the Superbowl! May as well feel good for a bit!

  5. Bring back the lawn chairs Says:

    Isn’t C.J. The guy that gave Godwin that acl, with what I always considered a highly questionable tackle while playing for the aints? Man, some people….

  6. Rod Munch Says:

    Baker has been completely inconsistent all year – and when he does show up, the Bucs offense looks great.

    If he can be the guy he was on Monday night, the Bucs got a chance. If he’s the QB that played vs the Saints and Panthers the previous two weeks, the Bucs will get blown out.

    Baker plays best against really bad pass defense (nothing wrong with that, you should beat up on bad defenses), and the Lions are, in terms of yards, the 27th ranked pass defense.

    Hopefully Good Baker can make an appearance for two weeks in a row, if he does, he might just get a chance to make it three weeks in a row, and really make some progress in changing the his reputation.

  7. Trask Cult Leader Says:

    Even I’m starting to like Mayfield lol.

    But the proof is Sunday.
    The last good team the Bucs played was 49ers.
    If they can beat the Lions then everyone that
    ever slighted Mayfield has to eat crow

  8. Hunter Says:

    I’m glad this has become a thing and hope Baker makes the best of it like most think he will.

    Have even seen a ton of Lions fans upset at CJ about this free bulletin board material. Gotta love it!

  9. Rod Munch Says:

    If you want to talk about being slighted, go listen to Eagles sports talk. It’s fun to listen to teams fans whine and cry about losing, it’s one of my most favorite things on earth to hear Philly trash rage in anger. But none of the ones I listened too were impressed with the Bucs, said Mayfield was meh, the Bucs were average, a good team would have beat the Eagles by at least 50.

    It’s normal for hometown fanbois to always blame themselves for losing and never give credit, but it’s still interesting to not hear any of them — over a bunch of different shows — say anything good about Baker or the defense, etc. At the same time they universally all called for all their coaches to be fired, and half their team to be cut, so they’re in full meltdown mode for sure, which was fun to hear.

  10. Buccos Says:

    Baker was clearly feeling well on Monday night. The ribs weren’t bothering him at all. He had great velocity on his passes and perfect ball placement. Against Carolina he was clearly hurting and probably shouldn’t have played. I’m sure that he did what was best for the team. He is a team first guy. But the Mayfield who played against the Eagles was basically perfect, just like he was against Green Bay. I think it’s a huge advantage of having played all of these top teams in the NFC before. We already know them. And Baker is clearly a very intelligent guy. I’m sure that he feels like he knows these teams now

  11. BucVoyager Says:

    Not only did he injure Godwin but he made several questionable tackles in that game. It looked like he was trying to collect bounty money.

  12. Joe Says:

    If you want to talk about being slighted, go listen to Eagles sports talk.

    They are in full-blown meltdown mode. One guy called a show and ranted like a maniac and when the host tried to calm him down, the caller screamed, “SHUT THE F@CK UP!”

  13. gp Says:

    Bring back the lawn chairs Says:
    January 17th, 2024 at 4:46 pm

    Isn’t C.J. The guy that gave Godwin that acl, with what I always considered a highly questionable tackle while playing for the aints? Man, some people….

    ************************************************************

    Watching the Lions/Rams game, I saw a number of uncalled “dirty” hits from the Lions secondary. One of which took a receiver out of the game, at least briefly

  14. Rod Munch Says:

    Joe Says:
    January 17th, 2024 at 5:01 pm
    If you want to talk about being slighted, go listen to Eagles sports talk.

    They are in full-blown meltdown mode. One guy called a show and ranted like a maniac and when the host tried to calm him down, the caller screamed, “SHUT THE F@CK UP!”

    ———-

    YES! That’s my favorite stuff – I love it when everything is in complete disarray and everyone is mad and just ranting and yelling, it’s great stuff. Two years ago when the Bucs beat them in the playoffs, all the Eagles fans were calling up, universally, saying Hurts stinks, get rid of him, they need to draft a QB, etc. The overreaction takes are just pure entertainment — when they’re real and not forced.

  15. Boss Says:

    baker droped that dime right in ME’s breadbasket on the long bomb. ME dropped it (of course)…..he looked night and day from the previous week. As to his comments. classy and subtle jab.

  16. jehzsa Says:

    It’s OK. For all we know, Gardner-Johnson believes the game will be played in an open-air stadium.

  17. Trask Cult Leader Says:

    I went by a Wawa on Dale Mabry after the game.
    There were 5 or 6 Eagles fans in Eagles jerseys in the parking lot.
    They were obviously distraught. Ranting at the air. Kicking their cars.
    Inside on the counter were two stacks of unsold Eagles trading cards
    w HUrts on the cover.

  18. Pewter power Says:

    will Mayfield try to buzz a few passes past Gardner-Johnson’s ear? Joe doesn’t think Mayfield will fall for that trick.

    Yes Joe he will Mr moxie won’t be able to help himself so maybe Gardner vocabulary isn’t telling the whole story here, maybe he does have some intelligence.

  19. Marky Mark Says:

    Trash talk just motivates the other side. Baker is motivated, pointed out false facts, and did not trash talk back. He has really matured.

  20. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    That’s a cerebral burn, kept it respectful

  21. K_bassuka Says:

    Even though that he ain’t lying, the helll with him GO BUCS!

  22. Gipper Says:

    Rod Munch,

    If talked won football games, you would ever lose. Happy you finally found am ally beside “David” for your endless Mayfield criticism. Will give it to you however, in the face of overwhelming statistical evidence that Mayfield is a top 8 NFL QB you won’t relent. You have a huge ego to protect and until Baker delivers multiple Super Bowl Tampa victories you will stand on deck and say….’yeah, but…….”

  23. J Says:

    CJ Gardner Johnsons famous last words.

    What an idiot. I wasn’t concerned with the matchup, I was more concerned about our players matching Lions energy right now. They’ve not been to the playoffs in 32 years I believe, and the have to be thinking “there’s no way we let this team stand in our way!”…well thank you CJ! If anyone can match that type of energy, Baker has the enthusiasm to light the fuse. He’s attitude and energy are infectious, and I garuntee our receivers are going to take issue with th shots fired.

    Bring it on, Detroit.

  24. Mr. Barf Says:

    Hope they got Baker mic’d up again…

  25. JK Says:

    Rod Munch, there aren’t enough derogatory words in the English language to properly describe you. Stfu you simpleton Clown

  26. Bosch Says:

    Thank you CJ. Bulletin board material is just what the doctor ordered. And Baker was just kidding. No need to watch any film. Just make sure you double cover Gage.

  27. dbbuc711 Says:

    Thats funny. I had thought too about him mentioning Gage. I thought he hadn’t played at all this season but wasn’t totally sure of it.

  28. Mr. Editor Says:

    Let’s hope that CJGJ eats his words and gets the Lee Flowers treatment.

  29. Fansince76 Says:

    I think Baker will definitely complete a few passes his way.

  30. A Bucs Fan Says:

    I learned today that the lions pass defense is worse than the Eagles.

  31. Beeej Says:

    When Brady looked like crap against the Saints in both regular season games for his first two years here, was he being “inconsistent”, or was team simply being dominated?

  32. David Says:

    Here we go again with Baker Fans trashing anyone posting a negative comments on their boy.

    Rod Munch comments and is accurate. We will defeat Lions only if the good version of Baker shows up. Which one ? The one that went toe to toe with CJ Stroud not the one nearly cost Bucs losing the division against Saints and Panthers.

    Let’s not react so fast to CJ Gardners comments. His take is a representative of NFL perception of Baker as a journeyman. Has he been inconsistent in his career defeating good teams, yes has been. However here is his chance to re-write the history. He has two games against two top NFC Teams to prove he has turn the corner to prove his doubters wrong. He needs to show NFL he is the hammer not the nail. I hope he does well so we can win on Sunday. Go Bucs.

  33. Popcorn Mike Says:

    I also like Mayfield response, Johnson is basically trying to get under Mayfield skin. Hell the Lions barely make it to this game

  34. Bring back the lawn chairs Says:

    In retrospect, this Bucs team with mayfield is a combo pack made for each other. Mayfield needed a good team with good players, the Bucs needed a quarterback with talent. BINGO. You see the sun does shine on every dawgs butt sometimes!

  35. Joe in Michigan Says:

    Ah, Davey Downer is still talking about the Saints and Panthers games. I’m sorry for whatever fun Mayfield had with your wife and mother. Time to move on.

  36. stpetebucfan Says:

    I’m not concerned with the cheap talk, I AM concerned with the cheap shots!!!

    There is a strong New Orleans bountygate group now with the Lions from coaches to players and as other posters have already pointed out they seemed willing to take some cheap shots in the Rams game.

  37. Hogtown Buc Says:

    Gardner-johnson’s given name at birth was Chauncey Gardner. He’s ashamed of it and tries to hide it by using the initials and compound last name because he was named after the clueless protagonist of the movie “Being There.”

  38. J Says:

    This isnt about your narrative on Baker, David. Any fan would take issue with their opponent talking trash about their QB, no matter the skill level. Bakers numbers are all the proof you need to see he’s a top 10 QB, while ME13 has one of his best years, tied for most TD’s, and makes another Pro Bowl at 30. This is about giving your opponent free motivation, and that is just about the dumbest thing you could possibly do…outside of reading one of your comments.

  39. David Says:

    Baker can’t elevate players around him and he needs good players to elevate him. That is a definition of an journeyman/average qb. Well there is nothing wrong with that if he can play as a someone consistent qb. So far he hasn’t. Baker is on his last trial to prove he is a QB1. Well, here is your opportunity Baker that you asked TB for.
    Play well and defeat two top quality NFC Teams a head of you. I will be the first one to congrats you. Go Bucs.

  40. David Says:

    Good respond from Baker off the filed to CJ. Would he be able to respond as well on the field ? I hope so. Go Bucs.

  41. David Says:

    Joe in Michigan Says:
    January 17th, 2024 at 6:56 pm
    Ah, Davey Downer is still talking about the Saints and Panthers games. I’m sorry for whatever fun Mayfield had with your wife and mother. Time to move on.

    Again, Baker fans you are disgraced to your own qb and this website with these abusive replies. You know you are a trash when you attack anyone else/families outside of this blog whom has nothing to do with you and these postings. Post/behave responsibly.

    Joe,
    It is so disappointing to see these uncensored comments on your website.

  42. Jmarkbuc Says:

    If ME13 and Otton, could stop dropping the dimes Mayfield DOES throw…

    That seems to be a bigger problem.

    Both of them will drop a ball that’s right in their hands, and then make a ridiculously difficult catch.

  43. David Says:

    Joe,
    It is so disappointing to see abusive uncensored comments from Baker fans on your website. You need to tighten up.

  44. sdm5821 Says:

    Last I checked professional football was a TEAM sport. So every player, coach, waterboy, trainer, et al need to bring their ‘A’ game. Doesn’t matter if the good version of ME13, Godwin, White, show up if the QB or the play calling is off. Same as if the ‘good’ version of the skill players and the QB show up, but the bad version of the oline shows up and can’t pass block or open holes or if the game plan is to run up the middle every 1st and 2nd down chances are the Bucs lose. That’s just one side of the ball, but I shouldn’t have to explain that it’s the same for the defense and special teams as well.

    If you need to have the reality of win as a team, lose as a team explained to you, then you really don’t know football or have a clue.

  45. Tbbucs3 Says:

    No idea why Rod Munch thinks readers value his takes on Baker Mayfield …..

    Nobody has been more wrong about Mayfield than Munch all season.

  46. Marky Mark Says:

    Of course Baker and the offense would be inconsistent. What did you expect replacing the Goat and a new offensive system? Have we forgotten Brady and the offense struggled In his first season but finally jelled in time for the playoffs. Also Saints 2 was not that bad. Baker turned on the jets in 3q and might have pulled out a win if it were not for the two fumbles. Detroit is n a dome and he is healthy. Anything can happen.

  47. BelleGladeBuc Says:

    Baker made throws that were uncatchable at times to receivers this season and his receivers dropped passes this season.

    Welcome to football.

    This season Baker put up top ten QB numbers Yards, TD’s and had very few interceptions throwing to two 1,000 yard receivers in Godwin and ME13.

    Baker and company had a great year playing pitch and catch with each other on game day. You don’t put numbers like that up if there are lots of drops or lots bad QB throws.

    To show you how crazy it is to complain about drops or bad throws for a QB and two WR’s who had great years this season here are stats from Pro Football Focus for WR1, WR2, WR3 and TE1 for 17 regular season games:

    ME13: Targets 136, Receptions 79, Catchable 86, Drops 7
    Godwin: Targets 130, Receptions 83, Catchable 88, Drops 5
    Palmer: Targets 68, Receptions 39, Catchable 43, 4 Drops
    Otten: 67 Targets, Receptions 47, Catchable 50, 3 Drops

    ME13: 0.41 Drops Per Game
    Godwin: 0.39 Drops Per Game
    Palmer: 0.24 Drops Per Game
    Otten: 0.18 Drops Per Game

    WR1-3 & TE1 averaged far less than 1 drop per game.

    Please stop saying such ridiculous things like the receivers dropped a lot of passes or that it was a common occurrence on game day.

    It’s patently absurd, divorced from reality and factually incorrect to make such a claim.

  48. Rod Munch Says:

    Beeej Says:
    January 17th, 2024 at 6:31 pm
    When Brady looked like crap against the Saints in both regular season games for his first two years here, was he being “inconsistent”, or was team simply being dominated?

    ———-

    LOL!

    Brady sort of built an entire career around being the greatest of all time.

    You Baker Bois are insanely sensitive. This is why no one takes you nutjob seriously.

    As for Baker, I’ve already said he’s earned his right to be back next year, and I hope he goes out and plays another excellent game. If he can do that, if he can string together good starts when it matters, he’s going to make himself a ton of money. Pretending like every game he starts is the best game ever played literally does nothing except make you look like an idiot.

  49. BelleGladeBuc Says:

    And for those wondering, out of all the strikes that Baker threw this season, he averaged throwing 7 uncatchable balls per game to WR1-3 & TE1 per Pro Football Focus.

    Any coach is ecstatic with his quarterback spinning the ball with that kind of accuracy.

    Crazy to complain about things that just aren’t true.

  50. Tbbucs3 Says:

    Its been interesting to see most of the Mayfield critics flee the ship after his dominating preformance vs Philly

    All of the comments that are critical of Mayfield at this point are coming from the same 3-4 posters

    The Trask fan brigade has as much stock right now as the Mike Glennon mob

  51. adam from ny Says:

    cj gardner’s a pretty good football player…

    but being an ex-saint, i see him as trying to have continuity of the things that went on within the bucs – saints rivalry…

    he’s a new piece in a new organization, so he shouldn’t expect things to go the way they did in the nfc south rivalry…

    things should go how they did when the bucs and lions were nfc central divisional foes… 🙂

    but there’s no barry sanders anymore…

    he needs to wake up and sniff the coffee…

    he’s just trying to give baker an early mental rattle…

    also pj williams was the guy who hit CG14 low and blew out his knee

  52. adam from ny Says:

    also he should be well aware of russell gage…being a corner and all…and in the nfc south and all…

    dude is zoning out because gage has been someone he lined up against for years, in regards to both the bucs and falcons…

    dude needs to sniff the coffee…then drink the coffee

  53. DavidBigBucsFan99 Says:

    Baker should’ve pulled a Tony Stark, ” Who are you? “

  54. DavidBigBucsFan99 Says:

    Tbbbbbbuuuucccs shut up with your fanboi whining.
    Baker deserved the criticism he received.
    You fanbois made it hard to get past his short comings and if he didn’t play so horribly quite a few times this season we wouldn’t have so much to say.
    One thing he has proven is he cannot play well against good defenses.
    He has a chance to redeem himself.
    I hope he does because how he goes the Bucs go not the other way around.
    He didn’t beat Trask he was gifted the spot because Blowles was trying to save his job.
    He was a 6th year vet and should’ve blown Trask out of the water but didn’t.
    During that 1-6 fall he deserved to be replaced.
    Wish you clowns would get your facts straight.
    You male cheerleaders on and off the field are a blight on professional football

  55. DavidBigBucsFan99 Says:

    The mod parameters on this site really suck

  56. Tony Marks Says:

    David Says:
    January 17th, 2024 at 6:36 pm
    Here we go again with Baker Fans trashing anyone posting a negative comments on their boy.

    Rod Munch comments and is accurate

    —-

    One thing no one can ever criticize you for is not having your dad’s back. Unfortunately by your upbringing it doesn’t seem like that was a two way street

  57. Tony Marks Says:

    DavidBigBucsFan99 Says:
    January 17th, 2024 at 9:59 pm
    The mod parameters on this site really suck

    —–

    You already write like the other David and now add to that you both start complaining about the same things at the same time

    We figured David would not be so silly as to use another account with David in it but wasn’t it always silly to say “David wouldn’t be so silly” in any sentence?

  58. Shane Callahan Says:

    “Inconsistent all year” is BS. They learned to become better as a unit all year. Their O-line SLOWLY improved. Despite this, they were in most games and were never more than a play or two or a break or two away from winning them. Their defense SLOWLY grew too. They finally hit their stride then Mayfield got injured. I hope he wins again because that might shut some of you up. (But, it probably won’t.)

  59. Gipper Says:

    DavidBigBucsFan99 Says:
    January 17th, 2024 at 9:58 pm
    Tbbbbbbuuuucccs shut up with your fanboi whining.
    Baker deserved the criticism he received.
    You fanbois made it hard to get past his short comings and if he didn’t play so horribly quite a few times this season we wouldn’t have so much to say.
    ________
    Jalen Hurts is not to far removed from Super Bowls. Baker outplayed him statistically for the entire 2023 season and Monday night. Same is true of Matthew Stafford a recent Super Bowl QB where Baker statistically had a better year. I can keep going but what’s the point? You, David, et al. are invested heavily in Baker hate and there is nothing that will allow you fake experts to admit you don’t know what the hell you are talking about. Bruce Arians, Todd Bowles, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin wish they had your unique insights. Those guys know that all QB’s are only as good as their supporting casts. When the Bucs vanquish the Lions this weekend, you still won’t relent. Kind of feel sorry for any kids you might have. Your criticism of them must be endless and merciless.

  60. Tbbucs3 Says:

    DavidTraskstan99, how triggered are you that the Mayfield lead Bucs are 1 win away from a conference championship game? Must sting

    I bet even Trask himself is ashamed of his pathetic cult following

  61. Shane Callahan Says:

    Tbbucs3, that was awesome about how Trask would even be embarrassed about his cult following. Very keen observation. Now, if NE Fan can get over his man-crush with Brady who fears anyone following the GOAT doing good is a bad thing, this might turn into a positive fansite.

  62. Tbbucs3 Says:

    Lets start a petition to ban all user names that include David or Trask in them

  63. Tbbucs3 Says:

    As far as the Brady stans, they are losing it cause they assumed the Bucs would be a bottom 5 team post Brady and they can’t comprehend that weve upgraded the QB position from what Brady was last season

  64. firethecannons Says:

    Joe says, now if the Bucs have a 3 score lead–Gawd–cmon man! Lotsa dreamin going on here. Would love love love to see it. Our guys gotta come out on fire 2 weeks in a row and that be alot to ask. They should play like their life depends on it–they are not expected to win. They need to gang tackle and rally to the ball and the offense needs to focus. fingers crossed!

  65. beeej Says:

    That REALLY doesn’t address my point Rod….if the offense is ineffective, does that mean its the QB’s fault, or may other factors be in play?

  66. Buc Unto Death Says:

    To the Baker Haters,

    Bucs were fortunate Brady picked us for his encore. He benefited, we benefited, the region benefited. Most teams never get to enjoy their beloved team quarterbacked by the best ever.

    Most teams never have a decent QB. Most teams know the effort is futile. The Bucs are not like most. The Bucs are competitive while retooling. The Bucs have little shot of getting atop 5 QB through the draft. Yet, here we are with a 6-year veteran QB who was someone’s #1 overall pick. He has shown the world he will fight like Rudy and lead us with pride. We may not have the next Drew Brees, or maybe we do.

    Regardless, please spare the rest of us your eroding on about his imperfections. We shouldn’t be this competitive right now. Yet, we are. And he’s in the driver’s seat. So, please, grab some popcorn, take a chill pill, and let’s see what our pirates can f’n do.

  67. BillyBucco Says:

    My favorite question of the week from the media.
    Todd, its going to be 13 degrees in Detroit. Are you at all concerned about the weather.
    Todd: You do know we play in a dome right?
    Silence.
    Who let that woman in the room? Lol

  68. Joe in Michigan Says:

    David: Point at the part of the doll where the Bucs fans hurt you…You sure have thin skin for someone who runs their mouth so much.

  69. President Canales Says:

    This team has rallied around Baker.

    I hope they take this swipe personal.

    Go Bucs!

  70. DavidBigBucsFan99 Says:

    Joeblow in Mitchigan, Tonya Harding Marks, bj, Whinona Joelina, BakerGulper and the other Baker “male” cheerleaders you ain’t Buc fans you’re Baker fans. Never saw any of you booty clowns up here before he got here. You’ve desecrated and infested this Bucs board with your toxic feminist support of Baker and since you suckers came out of the shadows like the roaches you are and your presence up here triggers me and got no qualms with saying that. Was here before you and once Baker is gone after you fools as well

  71. Gipper Says:

    DavidBigBucFan,

    Take your tough guy routine somewhere else. Most bullies really wear pantyhose. What color are yours?