CJ Gardner-Johnson returned to the Philadelphia Eagles last offseason. They signed him to a three-year deal, hoping it would strengthen the secondary that struggled in 2023. He was one of the key veterans who helped anchor the defense that dominated opponents all the way to a Super Bowl. On March 12, the team made a shocking decision to many. They traded the veteran safety to the Houston Texans for offensive lineman Kenyon Green and swapped some draft picks. In a recent interview, Gardner-Johnson unloaded on the Eagles, saying he felt “highly disrespected.”
CJ Gardner-Johnson Is Not Happy With The Philadelphia Eagles
CJ Gardner-Johnson spoke to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 this week and didn’t hold back any feelings.
“I feel highly disrespected, but it’s a business. Never was an All-Pro or Pro Bowl! Never! Led the league in interceptions. What more do you want? People say, ‘He’s a hazard, he’s this, he’s that.’ I never been no hazard, bro. They got no real issues on me. That black ball ain’t going to work on me, because I got me a ring. I got me one. I got three more championships in me. I’m probably going to win the next three. I’m going to get me another Super Bowl this year. Just watch.”
If you are a Houston Texans fan, you have to like what you are hearing. However, it is clear that he was not happy being shipped off. After spending one year with the Detroit Lions, he decided to come back to the Philadelphia Eagles. The team gave money as the reason for the trade, but Gardner-Johnson isn’t buying that reason.
“It wasn’t about money. If it was about money, everybody would have been gone. How can I say this the most respectful way? Saquon deserved it. Zack deserved it, but the reasons behind it, the fans don’t deserve that reason. It’s deeper than that. The fans don’t deserve, ‘It’s about the money,’ because if that was the case, my contract was safe.”
The Philadelphia Eagles did give out some massive contracts this offseason. However, they also lost a ton of pieces. NFL GMs have to make tough decisions all the time, and Howie Roseman decided it was time to get younger.
Final Thoughts
Players often like playing with a chip on their shoulder. The Philadelphia Eagles just gave Gardner-Johnson one. Houston isn’t among the favorites in the AFC, but it definitely has the talent to make a Super Bowl run. This will be an interesting subplot to watch in the 2025 season.
