The Detroit Lions made a deal on Sunday (March 19) to lock in defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson for the next year. This was a bit of a surprise, since the Lions had already made two big signings in the cornerback position, but the free agency period is full of surprises, so let the good times roll.
Now, Philadelphia Eagles fans seemed surprised, too. For one, Gardner-Johnson is just 25 years old and helped pull the Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance. He seemed an integral part of the Eagles formula. Plus, for the Lions, he reportedly signed a modest one-year deal worth $8 million with $6.5 million guaranteed.
Here’s what people in the NFL are saying about the much buzzed-about move.
NFL reactions to C.J. Gardner-Johnson Leaving the Eagles
Benjamin Solak, an NFL Staff Writer for Ringer, calls this a “very nice signing for the Lions, and a tough hit for the Eagles.”
That’s a very nice signing for the Lions, and a tough hit for the Eagles https://t.co/RHZdeeHQKU
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) March 20, 2023NFL reactions to C.J. Gardner-Johnson Leaving the Eagles
Doug Farrar, NFL Editor of the USA TODAY Sports Media Group, give the Lions props for the move. He says, “The Lions are not $%^&ing around with their secondary. The additions of Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley were doubles and tripes, and getting C.J. Gardner-Johnson to pair with Kerby Joseph is a damn home run.”
The Lions are not $%^&ing around with their secondary. The additions of Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley were doubles and tripes, and getting C.J. Gardner-Johnson to pair with Kerby Joseph is a damn home run. Still think they need to take the best CB available at 6. pic.twitter.com/uKhBwcgl0w
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) March 20, 2023NFL reactions to C.J. Gardner-Johnson Leaving the Eagles
Jeff McLane of the Inquirer says the Eagles wanted a multi-year deal, and he wanted more cash. He says the player settled for a “prove-it” deal, which makes sense.
Skinny on why C.J. Gardner-Johnson is no longer in Philly:
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 20, 2023
- #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.
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 of the Detroit Lions greets fans after defeating the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Taylor Decker #68 of the Detroit Lions greets fans after defeating the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: A detailed view of a Detroit Lions helmet prior to a game btw at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 20-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers drops back to pass during a game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 20-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers calls a play during a game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 20-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions leaves the field following a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 20-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions greets fans after defeating the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Christian Watson #9 of the Green Bay Packers is brought down by Kerby Joseph #31 of the Detroit Lions during a game at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 20-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Robert Tonyan #85 of the Green Bay Packers is brought down by DeShon Elliott #5 of the Detroit Lions during a game at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 20-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Jamaal Williams #30 of the Detroit Lions runs for yards during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 20-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Will Harris #25 and Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions celebrate during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 20-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers is brought down by Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions during a game at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 20-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Allen Lazard #13 of the Green Bay Packers catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Jerry Jacobs #39 of the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 20-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Jamaal Williams #30 of the Detroit Lions is brought down by members of the Green Bay Packers during a game at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 20-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: D'Andre Swift #32 of the Detroit Lions is brought down by De'Vondre Campbell #59 and Jarran Reed #90 of the Green Bay Packers during a game at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 20-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions Training Camp
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Chicago Bears v Detroit Lions
ShareDETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 01: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions warms up prior to the game prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on January 01, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Chicago Bears v Detroit Lions
ShareDETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 01: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions throws a pass during the first quarter in the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on January 01, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Chicago Bears v Detroit Lions
ShareDETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 01: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions throws a pass during the second quarter in the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on January 01, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Chicago Bears v Detroit Lions
ShareDETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 01: Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears and Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions embrace after the game at Ford Field on January 01, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Chicago Bears v Detroit Lions
ShareDETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 01: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions celebrates as they walk off the field after a win over the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on January 01, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions warms up prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions warms up prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions warms up prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Jamaal Williams #30 of the Detroit Lions celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Jared Goff #16 and Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 of the Detroit Lions react after defeating the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions and Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers talk after their game at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions greets fans after defeating the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 20-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 20-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers
ShareGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Lions defeated the Packers 20-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
