Detroit Lions' C.J. Gardner-Johnson has more words for Baker Mayfield on Instagram Live
Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson has more words for Baker Mayfield.
Following the Lions' 31-23 win over the Buccaneers to advance to the NFC championship game, Gardner-Johnson went on Instagram Live to deliver a message to Mayfield, who he intercepted on Tampa's first drive, after the two had traded verbal barbs in the media during the build-up to the game.
Gardner-Johnson came down with a tipped pass off the hands of Mike Evans and returned the ball to the Tampa 41, leading to a field goal. After he was shoved out of bounds on the return, Gardner-Johnson tossed the ball back to Mayfield as he jogged back toward the Lions' bench.
On his live broadcast after the game, Gardner-Johnson said, "And I tossed that (expletive) back at you, too. I hope you got it, too. Make sure you send that with the jersey."
#Lions C.J. Gardner-Johnson on Instagram live talking trash to #Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield:
“And I tossed that b**ch back at you, too. I hope you got it, too. Make sure you send that with the jersey.”
(h/t @AryePulli)pic.twitter.com/5vRVIc3HS6— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 22, 2024
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During the week before the game, Gardner-Johnson complimented Tampa Bay's pass catchers, but said they needed a better quarterback than Mayfield to get them the ball. In response, Mayfield said the Lions safety needed to spend more time watching film after he named injured receiver Russell Gage in the receiving group.
Gardner-Johnson and the Lions got the last laugh, however, as they will advance to the NFC title game to play the San Francisco 49ers on the road, while the Bucs' season is over. Gardner-Johnson, who has two interceptions for Detroit since returning from injured reserve in Week 18, has a long-standing rivalry with 49ers' receiver Deebo Samuel, dating back to the safety's time with the Eagles last season.
Gardner-Johnson spoke on that rivalry on social media back in October while he was rehabbing with his torn pec injury.
Deebo Samuel vs CJ Gardner-Johnson will be fun to watch 🍿 pic.twitter.com/HK96ShYv9u
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) January 21, 2024
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions' C.J. Gardner-Johnson has more words for Baker Mayfield