C.J. Gardner-Johnson did not sound convinced that Buffalo was outplayed in their first loss of the season.
Fans who watched the Bills get the ball back down 29-26 with over a minute left to play in the fourth quarter and three timeouts might agree.
Their offense turned the ball over on their final possession and gift-wrapped the win for New England, who the Buffalo defense struggled to stop throughout the day despite Drake Maye's unit also committing multiple turnovers.
After the game, the outspoken Bills safety shared a dismissive attitude toward Efton Chism III, who helped QB Drake Maye put New England ahead late. Gardner-Johnson was not ready to credit the receiver with doing it again.
“A (practice squad) guy made a helluva catch. Probably won’t
happen to him again, respectfully,” Gardner-Johnson said to the press after the game.
There is, however, a problem with his description: Chism was not a practice-squad elevation. New England had carried him on its active 53-man roster, and to his credit he showed the world why on an athletic one-handed catch.
Efton Chism III, that is UNREAL.@NEvsBUF on CBS/Paramount+
— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2026
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/XPxjrC59nJ
Chism signed with New England as an undrafted free agent after going unselected in the 2025 NFL draft, and hauled in Maye's deep pass to the back corner of the end zone Sunday while being defended by Bills rookie and second round selection in the 2026 draft, cornerback Davison Igbinosun.
Humility in defeat may have made for a better strategy, either way, Gardner-Johnson did make it a point to hype up the rematch coming later this season between the two clubs.
“We’ll be back, see them again at the end of the year.”
The Bills division standings now reflect a loss to a rival. Despite entering the game at 3-0 on the season, their defense also gave up 31 points in their first contest, 31 in their second, 16 in their third, then gave up 29 points in the loss Sunday to New England.
Gardner-Johnson exude's confidence, hopefully he and the defense's efficiency will rise to match it instead of surrendering around 30-points to several opposing offenses.
Buffalo gets its next opportunity and one of their biggest true tests on Oct. 12th on the road in a Monday Night Football matchup against the Super Bowl favorite Los Angeles Rams.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Bills' C.J. Gardner-Johnson trash talking after huge catch from Patriots' Efton Chism
