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CJ Gardner Johnson Signs With Detroit, Leaving Eagles Bare at Safety

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Author Dylan MacKinnon
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 12: C.J. Gardner-Johnson #23 of the Philadelphia Eagles takes the field prior to playing the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona.

Eagles fans held out hope all along that CJ Gardner Johnson could still return to Philly. Even after Howie resigned James Bradberry, and gave Darius Slay an extension. But it turns out the CJ Gardner-Johnson era in Philly lasts just one season. Because he is signing with the Detroit Lions. The surprising part is what he got paid. We knew the Safety market was grim. But CJ Gardner Johnson got just a one-year deal worth up to $8 million. Far less than anyone expected.

[Source: Adam Schefter]

The question for Eagles fans will be, why didn’t the Eagles match that? We may not get an answer any time soon though. Well with CJ being CJ, he may just tweet out an answer at any moment. Perhaps he felt slighted by the Eagles. Or maybe Howie just did not want to spend any money on Safety. Whatever it is, CJ Gardner-Johnson is gone. Leaving the Eagles with more question marks than answers at the position. They had already lost their other starting Safety Marcus Epps to the Las Vegas Raiders. And now CJ departs as well.

Reed Blankenship is the obvious choice to fill one of the spots. The Eagles reportedly think very highly of the former undrafted rookie. And he filled in well considering when Gardner-Johnson was out. But is he good enough to trust as your best Safety? The Eagles may have to find out. And their options at the second Safety spot are even thinner. It is doubtful Howie Roseman is finished. They have some draft capital. And if this is what CJ Gardner-Johnson is getting paid, there will be other cheap dependable options out there.

Even still, Safety will have question marks going into the season. Granted there were question marks going into this past season as well. Marcus Epps was unproven, and they didn’t land CJ Gardner Johnson for a 5gth and 6th round pick until late in pre-season. We will have to see if Howie has any similar moves up his sleeve this off-season.

Tracking All The Eagles Free Agency News

The Eagles have a lot of free agents this off-season. Many of which are on their defense. A defense that was near the top of the league in every stat last season, could be looking very different in the next one. James Bradberry, Fletcher Cox, CJ Gardner Johnson, Brandon Graham, Kyzir White, TJ Edwards, Ndamukong Suh, Linval Joseph, Miles Sanders, and Isaac Seumalo, among other names. Then there is the news that Darius Slay was given permission to seek a trade. Not to mention we are awaiting to see whether Jason Kelce will retire or not. Meaning it could be a very busy free agency period for the Eagles. Even if the business is us watching all of the Eagles players go elsewhere.

The rumors have not been good for the Eagles. Multiple NFL insiders have suggested that nearly all of them could be heading elsewhere. So where will these Free agents land? Will any of them return to Philly? Or will the Eagles roster be left with more holes than a Shia Lebeauf movie? Legal Tampering has begun. Meaning we are starting to learn the news for the big names connected to the Eagles. Follow along here to see all the Eagles’ free agency news. From the players who return, the players who leave, and the new names heading the Philly.

 

  • Terrell Edmunds Signs with Eagles

    Eagles Sign Former 1st Round Pick Safety Terrell Edmunds to 1-Year Deal

  • Eagles Extend Lane Johnson To Clear Cap Space

    Eagles Give Lane Johnson a 1-Year Extension, Save $9.2 Mil in Cap

  • Eagles Sign Nicholas Morrow

    And now the Eagles have found their Linebacker. They signed Nicholas Morrow to a one-year deal. Find out more about him here.

    Eagles Make Low Risk Signing By Bringing in Linebacker Nicholas Morrow

  • Eagles Sign Safety Justin Evans

    The Eagles found a Safety!!! But this is probably, hopefully, not their only move. Justin Evans has been in the league for a few years now, splitting time between the Saints and Bucs. But injuries have limited his career, and he is probably more of a depth move than a replacement for CJ Gardner Johnson.

  • Isaac Seumalo Signs with Steelers

    As predicted, Isaac Seumalo is leaving in free agency. he is heading out to Pittsburgh to play for the Steelers. Expect Cam Jurgens to take his spot at RG.

  • Cj Gardner Johnson heading to the Lions

    CJ Gardner Johnson is not returning to Philly.

    CJ Gardner Johnson Signs With Detroit, Leaving Eagles Bare at Safety

  • Eagles Sign Marcus Mariota to be thier Back-Up QB

    They finally did the deal! Just 8 years later.

    Eagles “Do The Deal” And Sign Marcus Mariota

     

  • Eagles Sign CB Greedy Williams

    Not only did the Eagles bring back both of their outside Corners, but they brought in a new one too. They signed LSU Alumni Greedy Williams, who was drafted by the Browns.

  • Darius Slay staying in Philly?

    Just when we thought Slay was gone, it appears he is now staying. No official word yet, but the word is that Slay will come back to Philly despite earlier reports he had been cut. A new deal could be in the works.

    Darius Slay Staying in Philly, Expected To Agree to Reworked Deal

  • Miles Sanders Heading to Carolina

    It was assumed from the start that Mile Sanders would not be returning. That became more clear when the Eagles added Rashaad Penny and brought back Boston Scott. Now it become official. Miles Sanders is heading out to Carolina to join another former Eagle, Frank Reich.

  • Fletcher Cox Agrees to One Year Deal with Eagles

    The Eagles have now held onto all of the mainstays from the Andy Reid era. First Brandon Graham, then Jason Kelce, and now Fletcher Cox. He is back on a one-year $10 million deal.

  • James Bradberry Returns to the Eagles on a 3-Year Deal

    James Bradberry Back With the Eagles on a 3-Year Deal

  • Boston Scott Returns To Philly

    And after signing Rashaad Penny, they also bring back one of their own RBs. Boston Scott is returning for another year to get carries behind Kenny Gainwell and Penny.

     

  • Kyzir White Reunites with Jonathan Gannon in Arizona

    And now we know both starting linebackers are gone. Kyzir White is heading to Arizona to reunite with Gannon. Nakobe Dean will fill one of the linebacker spots. The question now becomes who fills the second one.

  • Rashaad Penny Signs One-Year Deal with Eagles

    The Eagles made their first outside signing. They brought in Rashaad Penny on a one-year deal.

    Rashaad Penny Signs One-Year Deal with The Eagles

  • Marcus Epps Heading to Las Vegas

    And the hits keep coming. Marcus Epps is heading to Las Vegas to play for the Raiders. Making the Eagles’ need to hold onto CJ Gardner Johnson even greater. Because if not, they will be down both Safeties, with undrafted Rookie Reed Blankenship as the best Safety on the roster. Not ideal. This now makes 3 defensive starters they have lost, and they still could lose CJ, James Bradberry, Fletcher Cox, and Kyzir White.

  • Andre Dillard To The Titans

    No one thought Dillard would be returning. but now we get confirmation. The former 1st round pick heads to the Titans, and will finally get a chance to start. And the Eagles’ depth at Tackle takes a hit.

  • Brett Toth Returns

    Not the returning free agent everyone was looking for. But Toth returns to Philly after being cut earlier in the month.

  • Javon Hargrave Gets Massive Deal With 49ers

    And then there is some bad news. Javon Hargrave is not only leaving Philly, but he is also heading to someone the Eagles will be competing with in the NFC. The 49ers gave him  4-year, $84 million deal, with $40 million guaranteed.

  • Jason Kelce Announces He is Returning For Another Season

    More good news for the Eagles. Jason Kelce is coming back for at leas tone more season!

    Jason Kelce Returning For Another Season

  • T.J. Edwards Signs With The Bears

    We know the Eagles do not value Linebackers. TJ Edwards played very well last year. But with a QB to pay and several other important holes to fill, TJ Edwards was a cap casualty. He heads to the Bears with a 3-year deal.

  • Brandon Graham Returns To Philly

    We know at least one guy who is returning. Brandon Graham signed a one-year deal on Friday to remain in Philly. he has a chance to move into first all-time in game splayed for the Eagles, and 3rd all-time among Eagles sacks leaders.

  • Darius Slay Signs Extension With the Eagles

    Darius Slay and Eagles Agree to 2-Year Extension Worth Up To $42 Million

Tyrone Johnson is the host of “The Best Show Ever” on 97.5 The Fanatic. He has been with the station for the past 8 years. Before working at the Fanatic, Tyrone produced political radio, did financial reports, and was assistant chief engineer of another radio station. As a content creator for 97.5 The Fanatic, Tyrone writes articles on the Sixers, Eagles, Phillies, and Flyers.

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Author Dylan MacKinnon
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