Former Florida DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson Reuniting With Philadelphia

Following one season with Detroit, former Florida defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson is returning to Philadelphia via NFL free agency. He appeared in Super Bowl LVII with the Eagles.

Former Florida defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who spent the 2023 season with the Detroit Lions, is reuniting with the Philadelphia Eagles via NFL free agency.

Gardner-Johnson is expected to ink a three-year contract worth a maximum of $33 million with the Eagles, according to ESPN. 

The imminent signing will mark Gardner-Johnson's return to the team he helped elevate to its Super Bowl LVII appearance just over a year ago. Philadelphia traded for Gardner-Johnson in August 2022, acquiring his services on a rookie contract from New Orleans, his drafted team.

Before a Week 12 kidney laceration that led to his placement on injured reserve, Gardner-Johnson led the NFL in interceptions in 2022 with six over 11 games. He was activated in Week 17 and started for the Eagles through their playoff run.

Despite his production, Philadelphia allowed Gardner-Johnson to reach free agency one year ago. He signed a one-year deal with Detroit, worth $8 million, but appeared in only three games with the Lions due to a torn pectoral muscle suffered in Week 2.

With a need for help at slot corner and safety, the Eagles circled back to a known commodity and locked him in for multiple seasons. 

From Cocoa, Fla., Gardner-Johnson signed with Florida as a member of its 2016 recruiting class and made an immediate impact with the Gators. 

After leading the team with eight special teams tackles and posting 32 total tackles, three interceptions and one pick-six as a freshman, Gardner-Johnson emerged as a full-time starting safety for the Gators during his sophomore season. He compiled 58 tackles with six for loss, two interceptions and seven pass breakups that year. 

In 2018, Gardner-Johnson moved into the slot as Florida's first-team STAR nickel cornerback. 

It was in this role where he arguably shined the brightest in orange and blue, as Gardner-Johnson produced single-season career highs of 71 tackles with nine for loss, four interceptions and two pick-sixes en route to UF's 2018 Peach Bowl victory over Michigan. 

Gardner-Johnson declared for the 2019 NFL Draft and was selected by the Saints in the fourth round. 

Despite his day three draft status, Gardner-Johnson followed a similar path in New Orleans to the one he did in Gainesville. He appeared in 16 games as a rookie, with seven starts, and took over as the Saints' starting nickel cornerback in 2020, holding onto the role for two years before his trade to Philadelphia. 

Over his five-year, 58-game pro career, Gardner-Johnson has tallied 245 tackles including 20 for loss, four sacks, 12 interceptions, 39 defended passes and one fumble recovery. He's logged 45 starts.

Gardner-Johnson, edge rusher Jonathan Greenard and punter Tommy Townsend highlight moves made by former Gators as the NFL enters its 2024 free agency period. 

Greenard, formerly with Houston, is set to sign a four-year, $76 million contract with Minnesota. Townsend, who last played for Kansas City, will join Houston on a two-year, $6 million deal.

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