NFL Free Agency: Eagles working on longterm contract with CJ Gardner-Johnson

In the last 24 hours, the Eagles have retained a Pro Bowl corner and let go of another.

Although the defense is poised to look different in 2023, Philadelphia is hoping to secure a critical piece of the secondary. A source confirms that the Eagles are currently working on a long-term contract with S CJ Gardner-Johnson.

NFL Insider Jordan Schultz of The Score was first to report the news.

#Eagles are trying to secure a long-term deal with C.J. Gardner Johnson, sources tell @theScore.

Not there yet, but they want him back.

CJGJ played very well for Philly after the team acquired him in a trade with the #Saints before the season. True ball-hawk, with 6 INTs.

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 15, 2023

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ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler also stated earlier in the week that the Eagles are making a ‘strong effort’ to re-sign the standout safety.

“The Eagles have several key players they could bring back, and though it appears they are waiting for markets to develop before reacting, some around the league believe they’ve made a strong effort to re-sign safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.”

Gardner-Johnson, 25, was acquired from New Orleans for two draft picks just weeks before the 2022 season and made an immediate impact in his new position. He shared the league lead in interceptions (six) despite missing five games with a lacerated kidney, while his versatility in the slot proved beneficial during the absence of Avonte Maddox.

For reference, Jessie Bates’ signed a 4-year, $64M deal with the Atlanta Falcons, making him the NFL’s fourth highest-paid safety. Gardner-Johnson won’t command quite as much, but his market value is projected to be around $13.3M AAV via Spotrac.

It’ll be up to GM Howie Roseman to make the money work — he’ll have an extra $17M in cap space after June 1st following the release of CB Darius Slay.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson leads the league with 6 interceptions so far this season 😱 Are there more to come?

📺: #PHIvsIND — Sunday at 1pm on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL pic.twitter.com/23xrL8jqWv

— NFL (@NFL) November 18, 2022

Mandatory Credit: Getty Images