The Philadelphia Eagles have reached an agreement with C.J. Gardner-Johnson on a three-year contract, according to sources. ESPN reports that the contract is worth up to $33 million, averaging up to $11 million per year. Gardner-Johnson confirmed the news on his social media account, expressing his excitement about “flying home” after a year away from Philadelphia.
Gardner-Johnson spent the previous season with the Detroit Lions after a somewhat confusing departure from Philadelphia in free agency. Unfortunately, his time with the Lions was limited to just three games due to a torn pectoral muscle suffered in Week 2, causing him to miss most of the regular season.
During the start of free agency last year, the Eagles had a multi-year offer on the table for Gardner-Johnson, but he and his representation opted to explore the market.
However, the desired offers did not materialize in a safety market where Jessie Bates III was the only one to secure a salary exceeding $10 million per season. Gardner-Johnson ultimately signed a contract with the Lions worth up to $8 million.
Despite some comments directed at Eagles fans during his time in Detroit, Gardner-Johnson has since apologized for them. He returns to Philadelphia, where he previously tied for the NFL lead in interceptions (6) in the 2022 season, playing a crucial role in the team’s No. 2 pass defense. He recorded a 63.8 passer rating in coverage that season, along with a career-high 67 tackles.
With his return, Gardner-Johnson reunites with Darius Slay and James Bradberry in the Eagles’ secondary, marking a significant addition to the team’s defense.
