Tag: Eagles Super Bowl LIX

Eagles defense got its Swagger back, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson was the cause

Veteran defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson was the player that brings confidence to the Philadelphia Eagles defense

If a photo could tell 1,000 words, then the photo taken below by the Eagles’ Kiel Leggere of a focused Philadelphia team standing behind a smiling C.J. Gardner-Johnson last summer is all you need to know about who has the juice when it comes to the swagger and energy department.

Gardner-Johnson reunited with the Eagles when both parties severely needed reconciliation. And as Uncle Vaughn said way back in July, the Philadelphia Eagles are back in the Super Bowl!

Gardner-Johnson departed Philadelphia for Detroit following Super Bowl 57 after an inability to agree to a contract that eventually went to James Bradberry. The Eagles’ defense regressed tremendously in 2023 without Gardner-Johnson’s swagger and big-play ability.

With a pec injury, Gardner-Johnson missed most of the Lions’ run to the playoffs and couldn’t be as productive in Detroit’s system.

Meanwhile, an Eagles defense that generated 70 sacks in 2022 – 3rd-most in NFL history – failed to generate pressure, as Philadelphia edge rushers had 38 sacks in 2023. With Gardner-Johson gone, the Eagle’s defense allowed 27 plays of 25 yards or more in the last ten games of that year – 7th-most in the league, according to Reuben Frank.

Philadelphia GM Howie Roseman knows when he’s wrong and addressed the situation by re-signing Gardner-Johnson to a three-year deal with a maximum value of $33 million.

Gardner-Johnson is a ballhawk and big-play defender.

This season, Gardner-Johnson tied for the 3rd-most interceptions (career-high-tying 6) in the league, trailing only Kerby Joseph (9) and Xavier McKinney (8). PFF said he was 3rd among NFL safeties with nine forced incompletions, behind Brian Branch (12) and Ar’Darius Washington (10).

Gardner-Johnson can play safety or slot corner, which gives Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio flexibility with his lineups. In 2024, Philadelphia ranked 1st in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (174.2) for the second time in the last three years (also 2022, 179.8).

Furthermore, the Eagles finished with the NFL lead in defensive points allowed per game (16.9 — their best figure since 15.8 in 2008), opponent three-and-out percentage (39.0%), and FFs (18, tied).

Since Week 8, the Eagles have been +27 in turnovers, including the playoffs. Philadelphia has scored 138 points off turnovers (6.6 per game) in that span.

WATCH: Myles Garrett on potentially play for Eagles; Teaming with Micah Parsons

Myles Garrett says the Eagles would be a hell of a destination and also talks about the possibility of playing alongside Micah Parsons of the Cowboys.

Hours after doing his best to avoid screaming Philly media, Myles Garrett made his first public comments since his formal request for a trade was revealed.

The Browns’ All-World pass rusher has requested a trade from Cleveland, and Philadelphia is one of the first organizations mentioned as a possible suitor.

While speaking with 105.3 The Fan, Garett called the Eagles “a hell of a destination” while giving insight into what it would be like to team with Micah Parsons.

Garrett‘s five-year, $125 million contract extension with the Browns has two years remaining. However, the deal does not include guaranteed money and has five void years.

Garrett, 29, is the reigning AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year and is coming off his seventh straight double-digit sack season, including four straight with 14 or more. He has earned five straight Pro Bowl bids, has four career first-team All-Pro honors, and is regarded as the top defensive player in football.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry said last week, “You can put that on the record,” that he wasn’t interested in trading Garrett, even for two first-round picks. Berry indicated the franchise wanted to sign Garrett to an extension.

Ian Rapoport reported on Monday that the Browns’ stance on Garrett has not changed following his request.

Philadelphia GM Howie Roseman always does his due diligence on players. Garrett would take some of the sting off the Bryce Huff signing, which did not produce elite production in his first season with the Eagles.

With Josh Sweat headed for free agency and Brandon Graham likely to retire, a Garrett and Nolan Smith tandem on the edge would give opposing offenses nightmares in 2025 and 2026.

You can see Garrett’s interview with Zach Gelb for Infinity Sports Network below.

WATCH: Myles Garrett wants no part of Philly radio host calling him a future Eagle

Myles Garrett requested a trade from the Browns and went the other way at Super Bowl LIX media row on Wednesday after Ike Reese called him a future Eagle

The Super Bowl is front and center, and Myles Garrett has stolen some of the luster from the big game with the news that the Browns All-World pass rusher has requested a trade out of Cleveland.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry said last week, “You can put that on the record,” that he wasn’t interested in trading Garrett, even for two first-round picks. Berry indicated the franchise wanted to sign Garrett to an extension.

Garrett‘s five-year, $125 million contract extension with the Browns has two years remaining. However, the deal does not include guaranteed money and has five void years.

Garrett, 29, is the reigning AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year and is coming off his seventh straight double-digit sack season, including four straight with 14 or more. He has earned five straight Pro Bowl bids, has four career first-team All-Pro honors, and is regarded as the top defensive player in football.

On Wednesday, while walking radio row at the Super Bowl, Garrett looked prepared to say hello to Ike Reese, Jack Fritz, and Spike Eskins at the 94 WIP table. However, the All-Pro pass rusher was met with a “future Eagle” shout-out, so Garrett quickly turned and walked the other way.

Philadelphia GM Howie Roseman always does his due diligence on players. Garrett would take some of the sting off the Bryce Huff signing, which did not produce elite production in his first season with the Eagles.

With Josh Sweat headed for free agency and Brandon Graham likely to retire, a Garrett and Nolan Smith tandem on the edge would give opposing offenses nightmares in 2025 and 2026.

Howie Roseman explains why Eagles haven’t extended Zack Baun, other key free agents

Eagles GM Howie Roseman could be looking to stack up on compensatory picks after he explained why the Eagles didn’t hand out contract extensions to key 2025 free agents like Zack Baun, Josh Sweat and others

The Eagles have 19 pending free agents, and with some big names looking to cash in, the Philadelphia defense could look quite different in 2024.

During his Super Bowl opening-night press conference, the Eagles GM provided insight into his thinking, explaining to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia why he didn’t extend contracts to several key free agents.

“Once you start doing that, it’s almost like, are you picking favorites?” Roseman said. “And the other guys start saying, ‘What about me?’ And they start playing for themselves as opposed to the team.

“Now, we’ve seen that probably costs you money in the long run as you’re doing it. But when you have an opportunity to compete for a championship, it’s worth that sacrifice I think.”

Philadelphia has several critical free agents who probably want to return to the Eagles but could land massive paydays on the open market. Zack Baun, Mekhi Becton, Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, Isaiah Rodgers, and Kenneth Gainwell could land lucrative deals when the new league year begins.

Roseman admitted that he watches Baun and Becton’s price tag grow daily but sacrificed potential long-term deals for a Super Bowl run without distractions.

“I’ll do anything for a championship,” Roseman said. “So if that’s the trade-off and maybe we lose a player, I won’t like that, but I’ll take it.”

The six free agents listed above will all have major suitors on the open market, but if those players depart, the Eagles can land upwards of four compensatory picks.