Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is outspoken, and his team’s 20-19 win over the Houston Texans featured the kind of polarizing moment with safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson that the veteran has been part of many times before in his career.
At the same time, Gardner-Johnson is also no stranger to flashpoint situations during games and, even after the game, was not ready to back down.
That led to the pulling of resumes.
Baker Mayfield After Faceoff With C.J. Gardner-Johnson: ‘We Don’t Take Any S***’
GettyBaker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after defeating the Houston Texans.
Mayfield completed 65.7% of his passes for 210 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Texans on “Monday Night Football” in Week 2. But on one particular play, a 16-yard scramble on third-and-10 in the fourth quarter, Mayfield appeared to be hobbled after Will Anderson tackled him.
Gardner-Johnson approached the downed Mayfield, who was clutching at his legs, and began to say something in the quarterback’s general direction. Mayfield popped up and responded.
“We don’t take any s***,” Mayfield told reporters on September 17. “That’s about it.”
That drive ended in a punt that the Texans then answered with a field goal to draw within one point. Still, that moment stood out for the two-time Pro Bowler and Texans native, Mayfield, who also spoke about the interaction in the immediate aftermath of the game.
“Me and my buddy Chauncey in the open field,” Mayfield said on September 15. “They did a good job adding on on the – it wasn’t a all-out zero blitz, but when the back blocks the backer in man coverage, adds on. So, fortunately, was able to get out of that one and get through. And then, yeah, just seeing green grass and fourth down, two-minute drive, trying to do anything it takes to get a chance to win.”
For Gardner-Johnson and the Texans, the loss, dropping them to 0-2, was the much bigger takeaway from this contest.
Baker Mayfield Takes Victory Lap on C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Texans
GettyBaker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after defeating the Houston Texans.
Mayfield has touted his on-field encounter with Gardner-Johnson, sharing a series of still images from the game, leading with that one and captioning it, “Built different. 10 toes down” on September 16.
That drew a response from Gardner-Johnson, who replied, “Boy this cute but still ringless,” in the comments of Mayfield’s reel.
Gardner-Johnson won the Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles last season.
The Texans acquired the boisterous DB in a trade with the Eagles this offseason, in part because of that brashness, but also because of his playmaking ability. Gardner-Johnson was credited with 6 tackles and 1 quarterback hit in the Texans’ loss to Mayfield and the Buccaneers.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson Has History With Buccaneers QB
GettyC.J. Gardner-Johnson #2 of the Detroit Lions returns an interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Gardner-Johnson previously took a shot at Mayfield, while the former was a member of the Detroit Lions, saying in January 2024, ahead of facing the Bucs in the Divisional Playoffs, that Tampa would be a “great group” with a “good quarterback,” per Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett.
Mayfield said at the time that he doubted if Gardner-Johnson “really watched film,” since he mentioned a wide receiver who had not played for them all season, per ESPN’s Jenna Laine.
Mayfield got a historic win in Week 2, sealing it with another scramble, this time on fourth down.
Monday night marked the Buccaneers’ first win in Houston in franchise history, a mark that transcends the Texans and includes the Oilers, now the Tennessee Titans. Moreover, if Gardner-Johnson wants retribution, he will have to get it in a Bucs-Texans Super Bowl tilt.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Baker Mayfield Offers Mic-Drop Statement Amid War of Words With Texans Star appeared first on Heavy Sports.