Lions veteran says it's going to 'hurt' to face the Chiefs in season-opener
The Kansas City Chiefs will host the Detroit Lions in the 2023 NFL kickoff game on September 7. There was some thought that Kansas City might host the Philadelphia Eagles in the season-opener in a rematch of Super Bowl LVII. That matchup, however, is scheduled for Monday Night Football in Week 11. While the Eagles […]
The Kansas City Chiefs will host the Detroit Lions in the 2023 NFL kickoff game on September 7.
There was some thought that Kansas City might host the Philadelphia Eagles in the season-opener in a rematch of Super Bowl LVII. That matchup, however, is scheduled for Monday Night Football in Week 11.
While the Eagles will have to wait for their revenge game against the Chiefs, there will be at least one former Philly player on the field in Week 1 that's looking to exact some revenge on KC.
Former Eagles defensive back CJ Gardner-Johnson signed a free agent deal with the Lions this offseason after spending one season in Philadelphia.
Garnder-Johnson, who spent the first three seasons of his career with the New Orleans Saints, appeared on "Up and Adams" last week and he was asked about facing Kansas City in his first game with the Lions.
The former Florida Gators standout admitted that it's going to "hurt" to see the Chiefs in Week 1.
"It's going to hurt to see them come out [as] Super Bowl champs and I just faced them," said Garnder-Johnson. "So I think I'll have to channel my emotions so I can go out and play a good game."
"I think the guys that are on the team don't understand the magnitude of how I feel because they wasn't there with me," added Garnder-Johnson. "But I'm still gonna bring the same intensity…I want to beat them. I want to spoil the homecoming."
It sounds like Garnder-Johnson is going to have a little extra juice when he lines up against the Chiefs in Week 1. But that might not be a good thing for the Lions. If Garnder-Johnson gets too wrapped up in facing the Super Bowl champs and what happened in Super Bowl LVII, then he might not be fully prepared for the challenge in Week 1. And if a defensive back isn't on top of his game against the Chiefs, you know superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be ready to take advantage.
