The Philadelphia Eagles hit a home run in NFL free agency when they brought back safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson on a three-year deal worth up to $33 million.
It was a move that was warranted after their secondary collapsed in 2023 and they were looking for an immediate boost ahead of April's NFL draft.
One anonymous NFL head coach even believes that Gardner-Johnson was possibly one of the best moves that the Eagles could have made this offseason, going as far to say that letting him get away was a big reason for their secondary's downfall.
"The Eagles signed him back because their secondary was soft as s--- without him He's a pest," the NFL coach said, via ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "Can cover in the slot, play in the post, or come up and hit."
As many Eagles fans know, Gardner-Johnson is no stranger to Philadelphia after the team acquired him in a trade with the New Orleans Saints ahead of the 2022 NFL season.
Upon his arrival, the Eagles had him switch from cornerback to safety and he finished the regular season tied for the most interceptions in the league with six.
He was offered a new contract to stay in Philly in 2023, though he chose to look elsewhere believing he was valued much higher than what they offered him.
Without Gardner-Johnson, the Eagles' secondary went from ranking one of the best in 2022 and making a Super Bowl appearance to finishing 30th in both points allowed per game (25.2) and 31st in passing yards allowed to wide receivers (3,125) 2023.
Meanwhile, Gardner-Johnson ended up signing a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions.
But after playing only two games for Detroit, Gardner-Johnson was placed on injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle. He returned for the divisional round of the playoffs.
He registered 17 total tackles, three passes defended and one interception through three games with Detroit.
Since joining the league as a fourth-round draft pick by the Saints in 2019, Gardner-Johnson has registered 12 interceptions, 39 passes defended, 245 tackles and 4 sacks.
The Eagles are now stacked in the secondary but Gardner-Johnson's versatility is going to be a major factor in their new defense under Vic Fangio.
