C.J. Gardner-Johnson Signs With Detroit Lions
Free agent safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson has found his home for the 2023 NFL Season. The former Philadephia Eagle signed a one-year deal worth up to eight million with the Detriot Lions, according to Adam Schefter.
Gardner-Johnson, 25, is coming off possibly the best season of his four-year career. With the Eagles in 2023, he tallied six interceptions and 67 total tackles in just 12 games. More importantly, he played a crucial role in an outstanding Eagles’ defense.
The Detroit Lions have vigorously added to its defensive back room throughout this year’s free agency cycle. Earlier in the offseason, the Lions added to the cornerback position with free agents Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley. Garder-Johnson is certainly the biggest name that the Lions have added, however.
In Detroit, Gardner-Johnson will provide the Lions with a lot of positional flexibility. Throughout his career, Gardner-Johnson has played safety and slot corner at a high level. Regardless of how the Lions opt to utilize him, he will help out a defense that desperately needed to improve in the 2023 offseason.
The move to Detroit should be seamless for Gardner-Johnson. In the past, Gardner-Johnson spent time with Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell and Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn while with the New Orleans Saints.
For Gardner-Johnson, he will be able to test the free agency market again after the 2023 season. Another quality season under his belt may help drive his value up as he looks to sign a long-term deal. On the opposite side of that equation, the Lions may not have Gardner-Johnson under team control for long, but they are getting a solid bargain for this upcoming season. The safety was one of the top free agents on the market and the Lions were able to secure his services for a maximum of eight million only six-and-a-half million being guaranteed.
Prior to signing Gardner-Johnson, the Lions were quietly having a solid offseason as they picked up quality players at reasonable prices. Now, they have blown their cover after adding one of the best talents still available. That certainly is not a bad thing though. The remainder of the offseason looks promising as well since Detroit holds two picks in each of the first two rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft. Could the Detroit Lions be turning the corner?
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