There is no such thing as a light day’s work for Howie Roseman. Just as you thought the day was done, a report from Adam Schefter stated that the Eagles are bringing back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson on a 3-year deal worth up to $33M.
Who is Chauncey Gardner-Johnson?
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson had a career year during his first rodeo with the Eagles in 2022. He recorded a league-leading 6 interceptions in just 12 games, as well as displaying the versatility to play at both safety and corner. There is the possibility that the Eagles opt to use him in both roles now that Avonte Maddox has left the team too. CJGJ can play both roles extremely efficiently and has a track record of doing so.
The decorated defensive back left Philadelphia in a blaze after coming just short of a Super Bowl in 2022. He joined the Lions on a one-year prove-it deal worth $6.5M in base salary, a value the Eagles could’ve comfortably matched.
He then streamed on Twitch during the offseason and was asked about Philly fans. He called them ‘f****** obnoxious,” and added: “I f****** can’t stand the f******”. Whatever animosity he had in his heart for the city has hopefully been eased, with a 3-year deal committing his mid-term future to Philadelphia.
His lone year in Detroit was unfortunately a forgettable one. He tore his pec against the Seahawks in week 2 and would only play in 3 games, recording 17 tackles and an interception.
What will he bring to the Eagles?
This move isn’t overly surprising in some ways, but it is in others. The Eagles needed help at Safety after Kevin Byard hit the free-agent market, leaving only Reed Blankenship as the lone viable starter due to Sydney Brown’s ACL rehab sidelining him for the opening stanza of next season. You won’t find many playmakers as decorated as CJGJ, let alone those who have played in Philly before and want to return.
The Eagles know the kind of player that Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is and are bound to have ensured that his heart is in the right place to facilitate this contract. If there’s ever a coach to get the best out of him, it’s a no-nonsense guy like Vic Fangio, who has helped some of the best DB’s in the league hit their ceiling.
There’s no way you can look at this Eagles team and not be bullish. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson was an incredible asset to this franchise back in 2022 and if they can get that same level of play out of him, then a 3-year deal that’s probably going to average out at around $9-10M per year is an extremely good price.
Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
