Did CJ Gardner Johnson Just Post A Goodbye Video to Eagles Fans?

It feels like CJ Gardner-Johnson just posted a breakup video with the Eagles fans a week ahead of free agency officially starting.

Obviously, nothing is official yet, but the breakup music, the THANK YOU note, and all the responses from his Eagles teammates kinda make it feel like there’s no longer a chance that the Eagles bring him back.

Of all the big-ticket free agents the Eagles had, reports were they would prioritize the 25-year-old safety they acquired for a 5th and 6th-round pick last August. It doesn’t look like that is the case after the Eagles didn’t use the franchise tag on him on Tuesday and then CJGJ posted this video late Tuesday night.

Despite missing five games in 2022, Gardner-Johnson tied for the NFL lead with 6 interceptions. At the same time, he ranked just 49th among all safeties who played at least 300 snaps in 2022 according to PFF. His QG rating allowed of 79.8; however, ranked 22nd among safeties (again with at least 300 snaps).

Fellow safety Marcus Epps is also set to hit free agency next week unless the Eagles reach a deal with him ahead of time. If both leave, that would leave just Reed Blankenship and K’Von Wallace among 2022 safeties who took any game reps returning. For what it’s worth, Blankenship graded out by the far the best of the four at 79.4, according to PFF. CJGJ, for comparison’s sake, graded at 65.0. Still, you’ll be hard-pressed to find any Eagle fan who isn’t severely disappointed about the prospect of losing him in free agency.

Potential Comp Pick for Losing CJ Gardner Johnson

If CJGJ does leave via free agency next week, the Eagles should be in store for a decent comp pick in the process. If he gets something in the $13-14m a year range, they are likely looking at a 4th-round pick at worst in the 2024 NFL Draft. That is better than either of the two picks they gave up to acquire him. That does little to help the Eagles in 2023, though.

In general, the Eagles should get a haul of compensatory picks in 2024 with all of the free agents they are expected to lose this off-season. Between Gardner-Johnson, Javon Hargrave, and James Bradbury, they’d likely get at least a 3rd and two 4ths. That is one way to reshape a roster once you have a quarterback likely taking up $50m a year against the cap.