Former Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson is signing a one-year, $8 million deal with the Lions, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported on Sunday night.
The deal ends an odd week of speculation about Gardner-Johnson’s future with the initial expectation that the safety would command a lucrative contract on the open market.
After days of venting on social media, Gardner-Johnson accepted a prove-it deal with Dan Campbell’s Detroit Lions.
With the first wave of free agency officially complete, here’s an instant analysis of another Eagles free agent flying the coup.
How much did Howie Roseman value Gardner-Johnson
If Gardner-Johnson got $8 million from Detroit, and Marcus Epps landed $6 million a year r from Las Vegas, then we have to assume that Howie Roseman likely never came above four of five million per season.
Skinny on why C.J. Gardner-Johnson is no longer in Philly:
– #Eagles made multi-year offer early in FA.
– He was looking for more.
– They moved on, signed Bradberry, extended Slay.
– He/agent overvalued not realizing market/league viewed him as risk.
– Settled for prove-it deal.— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 20, 2023
How much are intangibles worth?
Statistics tell just part of the story, and the truth is Gardner-Johnson was the NFL’s co-leader in interceptions, and he was also a player who missed his share of tackles and graded out poorly at his position per PFF.
Only the Eagles and other teams around the NFL can tell you how much intangibles are worth.
I wrote this about C.J. in my 10 Obs a few days before free agency started. pic.twitter.com/puNtsQcMrR
— Reuben Frank (@RoobNBCS) March 20, 2023
Reed Blankenship gets the nod
Blankenship had 20 tackles, one interception, and two passes defended during the 2022 season. Still, his play while Gardner-Johnson was out with a lacerated kidney likely played the most significant role in Howie Roseman allowing the safety to walk.
Remaining depth
The top remaining safeties on the current roster are Blankenship and K’Von Wallace, while nickel corners Avonte Maddox and Josiah Scott can also play safety.
Philadelphia could sign another safety and select one in April’s NFL draft.
Gardner-Johnson's loss is Darius Slay's gain
We can only assume that Philadelphia was set to release Darius Slay a few days ago. Still, after Gardner-Johnson likely turned down their final offer, GM Howie Roseman returned to Slay, and the two parties hammered out that 2-year, $42 million extension.
Roseman and the Eagles know that elite cornerbacks can make a defense special, and the NFL’s most brazen GM chose the outside guys over a versatile safety.
