If a photo could tell 1,000 words, then the photo taken below by the Eagles’ Kiel Leggere of a focused Philadelphia team standing behind a smiling C.J. Gardner-Johnson last summer is all you need to know about who has the juice when it comes to the swagger and energy department.
Gardner-Johnson reunited with the Eagles when both parties severely needed reconciliation. And as Uncle Vaughn said way back in July, the Philadelphia Eagles are back in the Super Bowl!
If @CGJXXIII smiling like this n the rest of the team chilling then we back lmaoooo 😂 pic.twitter.com/yqWJv8Unj6
— Uncle Vaughn 🟢 (@uncle_vaughn) July 24, 2024
Gardner-Johnson departed Philadelphia for Detroit following Super Bowl 57 after an inability to agree to a contract that eventually went to James Bradberry. The Eagles’ defense regressed tremendously in 2023 without Gardner-Johnson’s swagger and big-play ability.
With a pec injury, Gardner-Johnson missed most of the Lions’ run to the playoffs and couldn’t be as productive in Detroit’s system.
Meanwhile, an Eagles defense that generated 70 sacks in 2022 – 3rd-most in NFL history – failed to generate pressure, as Philadelphia edge rushers had 38 sacks in 2023. With Gardner-Johson gone, the Eagle’s defense allowed 27 plays of 25 yards or more in the last ten games of that year – 7th-most in the league, according to Reuben Frank.
Philadelphia GM Howie Roseman knows when he’s wrong and addressed the situation by re-signing Gardner-Johnson to a three-year deal with a maximum value of $33 million.
Gardner-Johnson is a ballhawk and big-play defender.
This season, Gardner-Johnson tied for the 3rd-most interceptions (career-high-tying 6) in the league, trailing only Kerby Joseph (9) and Xavier McKinney (8). PFF said he was 3rd among NFL safeties with nine forced incompletions, behind Brian Branch (12) and Ar’Darius Washington (10).
Gardner-Johnson can play safety or slot corner, which gives Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio flexibility with his lineups. In 2024, Philadelphia ranked 1st in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (174.2) for the second time in the last three years (also 2022, 179.8).
Furthermore, the Eagles finished with the NFL lead in defensive points allowed per game (16.9 — their best figure since 15.8 in 2008), opponent three-and-out percentage (39.0%), and FFs (18, tied).
Since Week 8, the Eagles have been +27 in turnovers, including the playoffs. Philadelphia has scored 138 points off turnovers (6.6 per game) in that span.
