The Patriots and Bills rivalry just got a little spicier. After New England's 29-26 upset win over Buffalo, Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson couldn't resist taking a shot at the guy who beat him — undrafted receiver Efton Chism III. And Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel wasn't about to let it slide.
Gardner-Johnson, known for his trash talk, tried to play it cool at first. "We're not going to get into any bulletin board material," he told reporters. But then he went ahead and did exactly that, calling Chism an "elevated guy" and a "practice squad player" who "probably won't hear from him again."
That didn't sit well with Vrabel. On Monday, during an appearance on The Greg Hill Show, the coach fired back with a smirk: "For a guy that has been on eight teams in four years, I mean, I guess he knows the drill." It was a sharp jab at Gardner-Johnson's nomadic NFL journey, which has seen him suit up for five different franchises since 2022.
Vrabel didn't stop there. He spent the rest of the interview singing Chism's praises, highlighting the rookie's work ethic and dedication. "Nobody works harder," Vrabel said. "You love to see players take advantage of opportunities and help the team win. He is very well respected. He practices. He is on the show team. He takes a million reps. Nobody logs more miles or yards or whatever we track than [Chism]."
Chism's stat line — four catches, 42 yards, and the game-winning touchdown — might not jump off the page, but for a player who went undrafted and spent time on the practice squad, it was a career-defining moment. The fact that it came against a division rival with a mouthy safety only made it sweeter.
The Bills and Patriots won't meet again until Week 13, but you can bet this exchange will be replayed in the Patriots' locker room come December. As for Gardner-Johnson, he might want to be careful about handing out bulletin board material — especially when the guy on the other sideline is Vrabel, who has a history of using slights to fuel his teams.
This isn't the first time Vrabel has shown he's not afraid to mix it up. His relationship with quarterback Drake Maye has been under the microscope, with rumors of tension swirling. But Vrabel has brushed those off, and his defense of Chism shows he's got his players' backs. Meanwhile, the Bills have bigger concerns, like protecting their own quarterback against a shaky offensive line.
For now, the Patriots are riding high after a statement win. And if Gardner-Johnson's comments are any indication, the rematch in December is going to be must-see TV. Vrabel, for one, seems ready for it.
