Vrabel answers Bills safety's dismissal of Patriots' game-winning catch
In short
The New England Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills 29-26 on Sunday after Efton Chism III caught a game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson dismissed the catch and the result, calling Chism a practice squad player who probably would not make the play again. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel responded on Monday by mocking the safety's record of moving between teams.
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The New England Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills 29-26 on Sunday after receiver Efton Chism III caught a game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter, according to Newsweek and The Boston Globe. Afterwards, Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson dismissed both the catch and the result. “An elevated guy made a helluva catch,” he said, per Newsweek, adding: “A practice squad player made a helluva play. That's all I'm gonna say. You do it again, he probably won't make it again.” Fox News reported that Gardner-Johnson also said the Patriots “ain't do [expletive] better than us” and that “we'll be back, see them again end of the year.” [ 1 , 3 ]
Vrabel responded on Monday morning on WEEI's The Greg Hill Show, where he was asked about the remarks. “For a guy that's been on eight teams in four years? I mean, I guess he knows the drill,” Vrabel said, according to Newsweek. Newsweek reported that the coach exaggerated the count: the outlet said Gardner-Johnson has played for six teams since 2021 and spent a week on the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad before being cut last year, and that Vrabel may be counting two stints with the Philadelphia Eagles twice. [ 1 , 2 ]
The Patriots coach also praised Chism, who Newsweek noted has never been on New England's practice squad. “Nobody works harder,” Vrabel said. “You love to see players take advantage of opportunities and help the team win.” Asked whether Chism had earned more playing time, Vrabel said: “Sure, of course. Guys continue to take advantage of their opportunities, they get more opportunities,” the Globe reported. [ 1 , 2 ]
Vrabel called the result a “well-timed win” for a team trying to “get back in the race,” and the Globe reported New England improved to 2-2 while Buffalo fell to 3-1. The Globe also reported that Vrabel received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during the game for cursing at a sideline official. Vrabel said after the game that the official was “a little sensitive,” and on Monday joked with co-host Greg Hill, “That was for you,” before saying: “I guess I can't swear. Again, I didn't call him a name. I'll have to be better.” [ 2 ]
Fox News described the exchange between the two AFC East rivals as a “war of words” that is “very entertaining,” and reported Gardner-Johnson's comment that the teams would meet again at the end of the year. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The win was, in Vrabel's words, a way for New England to get back in the AFC East race, and Buffalo's safety said the teams would meet again at the end of the year. The back-and-forth sets up that rematch and gives the division rivalry a talking point beyond the standings. It is a domestic American football storyline with limited relevance outside the United States.
Key facts
- The New England Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills 29-26 after Efton Chism III caught a game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson dismissed the catch and the result, saying a practice squad player made the play and that the Patriots did not do better than Buffalo. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Patriots coach Mike Vrabel responded on Monday morning on WEEI's The Greg Hill Show. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Vrabel said of Gardner-Johnson: “For a guy that's been on eight teams in four years? I mean, I guess he knows the drill.” [ 1 ]
- Newsweek reported that Vrabel exaggerated the count, saying Gardner-Johnson has played for six teams since 2021 and spent a week on the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad last year. [ 1 ]
- Vrabel praised Chism and said players who take advantage of opportunities get more of them. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Vrabel received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during the game for cursing at a sideline official and said on Monday that he would have to be better. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Patriots beat the Bills 29-26. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Efton Chism III caught the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson dismissed Chism's catch and the Patriots' win in post-game comments. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Mike Vrabel addressed the comments on WEEI's The Greg Hill Show on Monday. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- The exact number of teams C.J. Gardner-Johnson has played for. Vrabel said eight teams in four years, while Newsweek reported six teams since 2021 plus a week on the Ravens' practice squad and said the coach exaggerated.
- The Patriots' and Bills' records after the game, 2-2 and 3-1. Reported only by The Boston Globe and not stated by the other documents.
- Whether the Bills organisation or the league responded to the exchange. No document mentions any response from the Bills or the NFL.