Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson just agreed to what might be the most bizarre deal of the 2023 NFL free agency cycle.
After top free agent safeties like Jessie Bates III, Von Bell, Juan Thornhill and Donovan Wilson all signed multi-year contracts for respectable sums of money, the Detroit Lions just signed Gardner-Johnson on a one-year deal worth $8 million.
A pivotal member of the vaunted 2022 Philadelphia Eagles defense, everyone expected Gardner-Johnson to sign a big money deal at the top of free agency. However, the offer never came.
Gardner-Johnson indicated last week that he felt like he was being lowballed, which is very understandable considering the season he just had in Philly.
Rather than continue to wait for a bigger deal, Gardner-Johnson will rejoin some of his old New Orleans Saints co-workers in Motor City and join an ascending Lions team.
The #Lions are signing safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to a one-year, $8 million deal with $6.5M fully guaranteed signing, per sources.
His agent, Kevin Conner of @UniSportsMgmt, confirmed the deal, which reunites Gardner-Johnson, Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn. pic.twitter.com/RAIAdqYgPv
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 20, 2023
Skinny on why C.J. Gardner-Johnson is no longer in Philly:
– #Eagles made multi-year offer early in FA.
– He was looking for more.
– They moved on, signed Bradberry, extended Slay.
– He/agent overvalued not realizing market/league viewed him as risk.
– Settled for prove-it deal.— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 20, 2023
Gardner-Johnson signing for this kind of contract strongly indicates he’ll be wanting a windfall next spring if he can match the same level of play he put on the field last fall.
While the Lions will certainly be glad to add such a talented safety to their secondary, it’s baffling that Gardner-Johnson didn’t land a much better deal.