Report: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson turned down multi-year deal from Eagles, ends up on prove-it deal

Chauncy Gardner-Johnson may have a bone to pick with his agent, or perhaps he’s just willing to gamble on himself next season.

After spending one year with the Philadelphia Eagles, Gardner-Johnson signed a new NFL contract on Sunday evening. The former Florida Gators defensive back will play for the Detroit Lions in 2023, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, on a deal that is worth up to $8 million, per the report.

When the news broke, many were surprised that Gardner-Johnson signed a deal in the single digits, as he was widely viewed as the top defensive back currently on the market. Evidently, he valued himself more than the rest of the NFL did, as Gardner-Johnson may be regretting turning down an initial offer from the Eagles at the outset of free agency.

Skinny on why C.J. Gardner-Johnson is no longer in Philly:

– #Eagles made multi-year offer early in FA.
– He was looking for more.
– They moved on, signed Bradberry, extended Slay.
– He/agent overvalued not realizing market/league viewed him as risk.
– Settled for prove-it deal.

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 20, 2023

“Skinny on why C.J. Gardner-Johnson is no longer in Philly: #Eagles made multi-year offer early in FA. He was looking for more. They moved on, signed Bradberry, extended Slay. He/agent overvalued not realizing market/league viewed him as risk. Settled for prove-it deal,” tweeted Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Nevertheless, Gardner-Johnson is happy to be in Detroit regardless, as he tweeted out a celebratory gif on Sunday when the news broke.

pic.twitter.com/aBAuVZbDk8

— C.J. Gardner-Johnson (@CGJXXIII) March 20, 2023

Later, Gardner-Johnson made to to let Eagles faithful know how special his one season in town was, as he tweeted, “Thank you Philly organization, definitely was a hell of a ride!!!”

His teammates will certainly miss him, even the ones on the offensive side of the ball. Eagles star wide receiver AJ Brown congratulated Gardner-Johnson on Twitter, letting the Lions know they got a great player.

“Great teammate. Glad he took care of his family most importantly,” tweeted Brown. “It’s a Dangerous game that we play. Can’t be upset w a man for doing what he feel like is best for him and his family. Detroit got a great one!”

Moreover, Gardner-Johnson was traded from the New Orleans Saints to the Eagles in August of 2022 for a fifth round pick and a sixth round pick. He broke out in his first year in Philadelphia and led the league in interceptions prior to his injury in December.

But he returned and helped the Eagles reach Super Bowl LVII in February, a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Gardner-Johnson is a former fourth round pick out of Florida.

He had six interceptions in 2022 and has 11 for his career since the 2019 season.

Now, Chauncy Gardner-Johnson will look to prove his worth in Detroit, and hopefully parlay his play into a multi-year contract after his one year deal with the Lions is up.