The Detroit Lions won’t be bringing again C.J. Gardner-Johnson for a second 12 months. As first reported by NFL Community’s Tom Pelissero, Gardner-Johnson is returning to the Philadelphia Eagles on a three-year deal value “as much as” $33 million.
Whereas we don’t know the essential specifics of the deal but (like base worth or assured cash), that seems to be a big elevate for Gardner-Johnson, who signed a one-year, $6.5 million take care of the Lions final offseason. After Gardner-Johnson missed a lot of the 2023 season in Detroit with a pectoral damage, it’s a bit stunning to see him get the long-term deal he was looking for final offseason, nevertheless it speaks to the participant’s potential.
The large contract may go within the Lions’ favor, because it may return Detroit a compensatory choose within the 2025 NFL Draft. Nevertheless, that is dependent upon the construction of the deal, how a lot Gardner-Johnson performs, and what number of extra additions the Lions make in free company.
Gardner-Johnson added some angle and veteran savvy to Detroit’s secondary, however the aforementioned pectoral damage restricted him to only three common season video games and three playoff video games performed.
When he returned to the lineup late within the season, he discovered his beginning function had been usurped by the creating Ifeatu Melifonwu. Consequently, Gardner-Johnson was a part of a security rotation, a growth he wasn’t significantly pleased with.
“I don’t wish to sound like I’m egocentric or an (expletive), however I ain’t get again early to be in a rotation,” he mentioned “However I’m doing what I have to do as a group participant to get my physique going per se. However I’ve been prepared for nearly months.”
So it’s not that stunning that Detroit opted to maneuver on this offseason. It’s even much less stunning when seeing the preliminary phrases of Gardner-Johnson’s deal.
That mentioned, the Lions do have some work to do on the security place. Whereas starters Melifonwu and Kerby Joseph are below contract, the one different security at the moment signed for the 2024 season is Brandon Joseph. Earlier this offseason, the Lions reduce Tracy Walker in a cap-saving transfer.
