C.J. Gardner-Johnson was one best safeties on the free agent market, and on Sunday night, he decided where he would play football in 2023.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the former Eagle is getting a one-year deal worth up to $8 million. This deal allows the 25-year-old to test the market again after the 2023 season.
In 2022, the four-year veteran, who helped Philadelphia get to the Super Bowl, was tied for the league lead in interceptions(6), despite missing five games due to a lacerated kidney.
Last August, the Eagles acquired the Gardner-Johnson and a seventh-round draft pick in 2025 from the Saints in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2023 and the latter of the Eagles’ two sixth-round choices in 2024.
Philadelphia was able to keep corners Darius Slay and James Bradberry, but they did not keep Gardner-Johnson.
According to Philly.com’s Jeff McLane, they made a multi-year offer early in free agency, but Gardner-Johnson was looking for more.
It should be interesting to see how Philly addresses the safety position. Currently, they have Reed Blankenship, Tristin McCollum, and Andre Chachere on the roster, so they will have to address the position; the Eagles could address the position in the upcoming draft, which is deep with safeties, but at this point, losing Gardner-johnson is a loss for Philadelphia.
