The Detroit Lions took a big risk in free agency last year, bringing in interception leader C.J. Gardner-Johnson from the Philadelphia Eagles to strengthen the struggling secondary.
After a season filled with injuries in Detroit, Gardner-Johnson is now going back to Philadelphia.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on March 12 that the Eagles signed Gardner-Johnson to a three-year contract worth up to $33 million. Gardner-Johnson only played in three games for the Lions last season due to a torn pectoral, missing most of the season, before returning for the playoffs.
He spent the 2023 season with the Eagles, making a league-high six interceptions while also achieving a career-high 67 tackles.
Ceedy Duce’s Brief Time in Detroit
Gardner-Johnson, who announced last season that he intended to be called Ceedy Duce, quickly made an impact in Detroit. Head coach Dan Campbell praised the safety during minicamp in June, stating that he brought a infectious energy to the locker room.
“He’s got a contagious energy,” Campbell remarked on June 7. “One of the reasons C.J. [Gardner-Johnson] is like that is because that’s how he gets his engine going. As a result, it spills over into the offense and his teammates.
“You can’t help but notice — the intensity level rises. I believe that it makes everyone around you better and more competitive.”
However, the energy didn't translate much to the field, as Gardner-Johnson was injured in the team’s Week 2 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks and placed on injured reserve. He came back for the season finale, finishing the season with a total of 17 tackles and one interception.
Gardner-Johnson did have some standout moments in the playoffs, making an interception in a divisional-round victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Yet, he also made a costly mistake in the NFC Championship game loss to the San Francisco 49ers, committing a blindside block on wide receiver Deebo Samuel that nullified an interception return.
The Lions defense struggled in the game, losing a 17-point lead as the 49ers scored 27 consecutive points to win and advance to the Super Bowl.
Lions Enhance Secondary
While the Lions lost Gardner-Johnson back to his former team, they were able to bring back another one of last season’s significant acquisitions. Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, who also joined the Lions last offseason to improve the secondary but had a season-ending injury, signed a one-year agreement to return to Detroit.
The Lions also acquired cornerback Carlton Davis in a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Detroit traded a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and sixth-round picks in each of the next two drafts.
As Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press mentioned, Davis is a versatile defensive back who can play either cornerback position and will help relieve Cam Sutton in covering opponents’ top receivers.
“Davis had two interceptions in 12 starts for the Bucs last season and has been a full-time starter since his rookie year,” Birkett wrote. “He allowed four touchdowns and had a 96.1 passer rating against last year, according to Pro Football Reference, but missed five games due to various injuries.”
