Baker claps back at Lions DB criticizing Bucs' QB room

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield addressed Detroit Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson's criticism of Tampa Bay's QB situation ahead of their divisional-round matchup Sunday.

On Tuesday, Gardner-Johnson praised the Bucs' wide receivers but suggested not having a solid quarterback under center holds them back.

"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. I played against them for real," the Lions defender said, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

Mayfield doesn't think Gardner-Johnson has a point.

"I don't think he's really watched film because he mentioned Russell Gage. We love Russell, but Russell hasn't played a snap all year for us. He must be going off the preseason stuff," Mayfield said Wednesday, according to Matt Matera of PewterReport.

Tampa Bay was one of only four teams to employ multiple 1,000-yard pass-catchers in 2023. Evans finished the campaign with 79 receptions for 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Godwin caught 83 passes for 1,024 yards and two TDs. Gage, however, suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice last August.

Running back Rachaad White and tight end Cade Otton ranked third and fourth on the Bucs in receiving with 549 and 455 yards, respectively.

Mayfield joined the Buccaneers last offseason and revived his career after playing for three different teams between 2021 and 2022. The 2018 No. 1 pick completed 64.3% of his passes across 17 regular-season starts while setting career highs with 4,044 passing yards and 28 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. He then led the team to a 32-9 victory in the wild-card game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Mayfield had arguably his worst performance of the season in Tampa Bay's Week 6 loss to Detroit, finishing the game with a 51.3% completion rate, no touchdowns, and an interception. Gardner-Johnson missed out, as a pectoral injury sidelined him from Weeks 3-17.

"(Gardner-Johnson) didn't play our first game, so I'm excited to see him," Mayfield said Wednesday, adding, "He's a good player but, yeah, just gotta do a bit more film study."

Since returning from injury, Gardner-Johnson has racked up 11 tackles, one pass breakup, and an interception in two games, including the Lions' wild-card game triumph over the Los Angeles Rams.

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