Backs against the wall, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers figured out a way to get to 2-0 to start the season. It was looking grim for a bit after the Bucs special teams unit couldn't do anything right, keeping the Houston Texans in the game, and setting them up to take the lead late in the game.
Fortunately, the Bucs offense got hot at the right time but it certainly didn't feel like this game was going to end in their favor when they faced 4th-and-10 on their own 32-yard line with a little over a minute and a half remaining in the game. Baker Mayfield saved the game by scrambling 15 yards for a first down and continuing the drive that eventually ended with the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds.
Mayfield was asked about the heroic run in his post-game press conference and had the perfect response. He threw shade at C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who Bucs fans became all too familiar with during his time with the New Orleans Saints.
“Yeah, just me and my buddy Chauncey in the open field," Mayfield said. What makes the quote even better is the head shake and eye roll that Mayfield does right after uttering these words.
Baker Mayfield gives hilarious response to 4th down run
This quote wouldn't have been nearly as funny for Bucs fans if they didn't already have existing beef with Gardner-Johnson, who became one of their most disliked players while he was in New Orleans. While CJGJ hasn't been with the Saints since 2021, the love is not lost between him and both Bucs fans.
While Mayfield wasn't a part of those Bucs squads, he and Gardner-Johnson still have their own rivalry that goes back to the 2024 playoffs. Gardner-Johnson was a member of the Detroit Lions secondary when he said that the Bucs had a good receiver group but needed a better quarterback.
Mayfield naturally didn't take too kindly to that, clapping back that the then-Lions defensive back should watch more film. Clearly, the two are not going to be sending each other Christmas cards anytime soon. But for now, Baker Mayfield can point to the final result and say "Scoreboard!" and better yet, his run against Gardner-Johnson helped set up the game-winning touchdown.