The Eagles signed C.J. Gardner-Johnson this week, and the safety returns with a fresh perspective and an apology to fans.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson whistled as he walked to the front of the NovaCare Complex auditorium on Friday afternoon.
You could almost sense his intensity.
“Shady’s back…back again,” the enigmatic safety began singing as he sat in front of the microphone. “Shady’s back …”
Gardner-Johnson smiled and gave a thumbs up as he was welcomed back, and his re-introduction press conference began.
How does it feel to be back?
“Like I never left,” he remarked. “I feel great.”
Gardner-Johnson is not only back after a year away, but he has signed a new three-year contract with the Eagles worth up to $33 million. And he’s returned with more perspective and maturity.
The truth is that Gardner-Johnson never wanted to go. However, when the 2022 season concluded, there was significant drama and bad blood between his camp and the Eagles, and he ended up in Detroit on a one-year contract.
And a lot has happened in a year to get him back where he belongs.
“Take your feelings out of it and just willing to be a man about certain things and accept certain things as a man,” she said. “Returning seemed like a comfort right now. Because I’m familiar with the people and the surroundings, and I feel at ease, if that makes sense. “The difference between last year and this year is that we both saw eye to eye.”
While Gardner-Johnson was fully committed to his new team last season, he admitted on Friday that he has always wanted to be in Philadelphia. Gardner-Johnson didn’t wait until free agency began on Monday to consider returning to Philadelphia.
“I’ve been thinking about it,” he said. “You just have to let time handle it. “You can’t handle it yourself.”
On Tuesday night, shortly after it was announced that Gardner-Johnson was returning to Philadelphia, the 26-year-old safety issued an official apology to Eagles fans via social media. However, based on the comments, there were clearly no bitter feelings. Heck, many supporters appeared to agree with Gardner-Johnson when he called them obnoxious.
I do owe the fans of Philly an apology, regardless this is an amazing place and we had some memories together! Let’s go get us one #FlyEaglesFly
— C.J. Gardner-Johnson (@CGJXXIII) March 13, 2024
So, during his Friday press conference, Gardner-Johnson was questioned why he felt compelled to apologize.
“I’m rude. Gardner-Johnson smiled and replied, “I thought being obnoxious was a compliment.” “All kidding aside, I was simply in my feelings. You desire to be somewhere so badly that you lose control over key aspects. Certain things were spoken, but they held no meaning. I am back. So I suppose we’re all happy. “Family reunion, huh?”
Gardner-Johnson suffered a pectoral injury early in the 2023 season with the Lions, but he returned for the playoffs and played in the NFC Championship Game for the second consecutive year. However, reaching that deep into the playoffs in consecutive seasons without a Super Bowl ring has driven him even more.
And Gardner-Johnson stated that his time in Detroit taught him a lot and helped him mature. It taught him that every member of a championship-caliber team is vital, something he admits he “didn’t really grasp” during his first time in Philadelphia.
That was not all he learnt in Detroit, either. He also learned a lot after missing a significant portion of the season due to a pec ailment.
“I learned for myself,” Gardner-Johnson added. “I realized that ball isn’t always about you. There are probably 50 other guys in the front office. So getting hurt, taking a step back, and not being the focal point made me understand I’m going to be a part of something bigger and better than where I am now. I want to be able to take the next step, and I believe I made the correct decision.
Gardner-Johnson was acquired by the Eagles in a trade just before the start of the 2022 season. Gardner-Johnson spent his three years with the Saints largely as a nickel cornerback, but he moved to Philadelphia to play safety.
While the Eagles certainly see his adaptability as a benefit, there’s no doubt that Gardner-Johnson sees himself as a safety. And he explained that in his own unique way on Friday.
“I believe it is time for me to be cocky. “It’s my turn to be cocky,” he remarked, panning to a nearby member of the Eagles’ public relations team. “I am still one of the top young safeties in the game. So I’m not worried about it; I’m eager to keep going.”
Gardner-Johnson’s playmaking abilities was sorely missed by the Eagles in 2023. After all, he had 6 interceptions in 12 games during his first season with the Eagles, while the entire club had 9 interceptions in 17 games without him last year.
Aside from that, the Eagles missed Gardner-Johnson’s outgoing nature, cockiness, and enthusiasm. Even with his increased maturity, he does not intend to lose his edge.
“I’m ready to turn the lights back on in the building again, if that makes sense,” Gardner-Johnson said.
Yeah, it does.
