Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Lions DB fires back at Cam Newton over Jared Goff shade

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 12/14/23

Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson fired back at Cam Newton on Wednesday over some comments the ex-NFL MVP made about current Lions quarterback Jared Goff.

On his podcast, Newton gave his assessment of several top quarterbacks. However, the former Carolina Panthers star was less-than-complimentary of numerous top-end quarterbacks. Newton termed Brock Purdy, Tua Tagovailoa, Dak Prescott and Goff “game managers.”

Gardner-Johnson saw Newton’s comments and did not appreciate them. He fired back in defense of his Lions teammate, Goff.

“If Cam talking about [Goff], then what are you ! Last time I check (sic) you couldn’t manage a game STOP COMING FOR MY QB!! Bring me on so we can talk FUNKY WEDNESDAY!!”

If Cam talking about JG , then what are you ! Last time I check you couldn’t manage a game STOP COMING FOR MY QB!! Bring me on so we can talk FUNKY WEDNESDAY!!

— C.J. Gardner-Johnson (@CGJXXIII) December 13, 2023

Gardner-Johnson has been playing in the NFL since 2019, which is right when Newton’s once-excellent career began going south. So Gardner-Johnson’s recollection of Newton as being worse than a game manager is correct — at least for the last few years of Newton’s career. But prior to that, Newton was dynamic, and he peaked in 2015 when he led the Panthers to a 15-1 record and Super Bowl appearance while winning NFL MVP.

Newton’s assessment of Tagovailoa, Goff, Prescott and Purdy as “game managers” is rather harsh, especially considering the excellent years they are all having. Maybe the great years the players are having are reminders of just how much experience plus being in the right situation with a strong supporting cast and coaching staff are necessary for a quarterback to succeed.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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