We spent the past month preparing for the inevitable. Deep down, we knew the Philadelphia Eagles would find some way to retain Zack Baun, and that's exactly what happened. We also figured Josh Sweat and Milton Williams would leave the roster regardless of what happened with the First-Team All-Pro's extension. We learned they'd leave on the first day of legal tamepring.
Their deals aren't finalized until the new league year begins on March 12 at 4 p.m. EST. That's also true of the trades mentioning backup quarterback Kenny Pickett and now-former starting safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
C.J. G.J. wasn't part of the plan when we began these discussions about guys who had potentially played their final game with the Eagles. What can we say though? There are always suprises at this time of year. C.J.'s trade is the first. It certainly won't be the last one.
Here are the best options for replacing C.J. Gardner-Johnson if the Eagles were to explore free agency to do so.
Whenever you lose someone of C.J. Gardner-Johnson's playmaking ability, the first question is always obvious. Who do the Eagles replace him with?
Philly can explore draft options. They can look to add talent by way of free agency. If they choose to do the latter, here are the best players left that they can find in the pool. Frankly, we believe looking in-house is the better option (more on that later).
1. Justin Reid
A two-time Super Bowl champion, he's the best option that provides a potential upgrade. He has notched 580 tackles, six sacks, ten interceptions, 46 pass breakups, and three forced fumbles in seven NFL seasons.
At the time of this story's release, he hasn't be offered a new deal by the Kansas City Chiefs. He's a witty player that can step in any lineup and provide quality snaps as a starter.
Update: Shortly after the release of this story, it was announced Justin Reid will land with the Saints.
2. Harrison Smith
The Eagles have demonstrated they are looking to get younger and less expensive. Harrison Smith doesn't satisfy either of those desires.
He can ball though. If you didn't know better you wouldn't assume he's 36 years old. The problem is we do know better and we know that he is.
3. Juan Thornhill
Juan Thornhill was once a member of the Pro Football Writers Association's All-Rookie Team. Since then, he has become a two-time Super Bowl champion.
He sort of vanished in Cleveland with the Browns. Heck, everyone vanishes while with the Browns. We wouldn't mind seeing him in green, but only if the Birds were desperate for help.
4. Justin Simmons
This feels like more of a rating based off reputation. Conversations about adding Justin Simmons to the Eagles' roster would have been more intriguing had those discussions occurred last offseason.
He's a former Pro Bowl safety, one who played for Vic Fangio when both were in Denver, but he's also coming off a season where he wasn't exactly that same level of player.
His veteran presence in the Falcons' locker room was undeniable, but it doesn't look like they are going to retain him.
Keep an eye out for Simmons this offseason. His addition to the Eagles roster is still unlikely, but if he's one of the four best options for this team at safety if they explore free agency, we should all be thinking the same thing as we look ahead.
5. Xavier Woods
Xavier Woods is getting a little long in the tooth. He's younger than Quandre Diggs though, so we give him the nod. He has already eclipsed 500 career tackles.
Regression may come soon, but it hasn't yet. As a matter of fact, his most recent season, one with the Carolina Panthers, was the most impressive of his career so far.
The best replacement for C.J. Gardner-Johnson is already on the Eagles roster.
Yes, friends... It's Sydney Brown time. The former 2023 third-round draft choice has always had the favor of the Eagles coaching staff.
But, his rookie season ended during the regular season finale because of an ACL tear. He wouldn't play in a game that counted again until Week 7 of the 2024-25 regular-season, ironically in the same stadium (MetLife) vs. the same Giants team where his rookie campaign ended.
Sydney has the tools. He can get a little better in coverage, but despite the interceptions, Gardner-Johnson wasn't the greatest coverage safety either.
Honestly, we'd like to see him earn his shot. His third season with the Birds may prove to be the charm. Experience will help, and now, with C.J. moving on, Brown's opportunity certainly seems to be on the horizon.
