Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (8) practices before Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee
C.J. Gardner-Johnson isn't one to back down from a fight, and he seems to be picking one with the Eagles.
Gardner-Johnson was a crucial part of the Eagles' defense that helped them win a Super Bowl. But for the second time in as many stints, Gardner-Johnson's tenure in Philadelphia only lasted one season.
In 2022, the Eagles decided not to re-sign the safety, after acquiring him in a summer trade with the New Orleans Saints. This time, the Eagles offloaded him in a trade with the Houston Texans.
On Tuesday, Eagles' defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was asked about the trade.
"That was a salary cap thing," Fangio said. "Howie made that decision and I was fine with it."
These comments seemed to upset Gardner-Johnson, who took to social media Wednesday.
"I was a test dummy for them," Gardner-Johnson posted in an Instagram story. "So now they can be like my 'scheme' work, or did my skill set make it work.
"I had 0 issues. Ppl had issues with me. So yeah let the salary cap be the 'excuse.'"
CJ Gardner-Johnson responds to the claim that he was traded due to ‘salary cap reasons.’ pic.twitter.com/u6qzuKGcYm
Gardner-Johnson lashing out doesn't add up, because in the aftermath of the trade, he had nothing but positive things to say about the move.
"It was no bad blood," Garnder-Johnson said while streaming on Twitch on March 11. "Them young guys gotta get paid down there...all I asked them was to trade me somewhere I can play winning football and I woke up and boom, there it was, we in Houston."
Gardner-Johnson's most recent outburst goes against what he said a few months ago. The back-and-forth does leave a sour taste after what was ultimately a successful — albeit brief — second stint with the Eagles.
The safety was the emotional leader of the Eagles' defense. Gardner-Johnson didn't back down to anyone, which sometimes proved detrimental to him and his team. He was ejected from the Week 16 matchup versus the Washington Commanders in the third quarter for a second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. The Eagles allowed 22 second-half points and blew a 10-point lead. But when Gardner-Johnson was on the field, the Eagles were a better team. He was tied for the third-most interceptions in the league with six, matching his total from 2022, where he led the league in picks.
After signing with the Detroit Lions prior to the 2023 season, Gardner-Johnson caused an uproar when he trashed Eagles fans.
"The people...they're f—ing obnoxious," Gardner-Johnson said while streaming on Twitch. "I f—ing can't stand those F—ers."
He also dissed the Eagles at his introductory press conference with the Lions, saying that their roster was "a little better" than the Eagles. Though when he re-joined the Eagles last offseason, Gardner-Johnson made peace with the Eagles fans.
"I do owe the fans of Philly an apology," Gardner-Johnson said on social media. "Regardless, this is an amazing place and we had some memories together! Let's go get us one #FlyEaglesFly."
Gardner-Johnson's approval rating in Philly could take a hit after this recent saga. The initial trade did come as a bit of a surprise to Eagles fans, but going after Fangio isn't going to go over well. Fangio completely revamped a broken defense from the previous year and turned them into one of the best units in the NFL.
Either way, Gardner-Johnson is a somewhat volatile player due to his in-your-face play style and trash talk. It helped him win over Eagles fans twice and was part of the franchise's second-ever Super Bowl. Even if his relationship with the Eagles soured, Gardner-Johnson will still likely be remembered fondly by people in the city.
