Philadelphia Eagles Cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson Talks Ahead of Super Bowl LVII
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the outspoken veteran safety of the Philadelphia Eagles, is no stranger to controversy. Known for his bold personality and brashness, the cornerback has made a career out of walking the fine line between confidence and controversy.
As the Eagles prepare for Super Bowl LVII on February 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Gardner-Johnson’s return to the game marks his second Super Bowl appearance. His journey, however, wasn’t without detours. In 2023, the Florida product spent a year with the Detroit Lions, coming just one win away from the Super Bowl after the Lions reached the NFC Championship Game.
Returning to Philadelphia for the 2024 season on a 3-year, $27 million contract, Gardner-Johnson still holds strong feelings about his time in Detroit, a chapter he describes as anything but smooth. “It was hell,” Gardner-Johnson said in an interview with Detroit Free Press reporter Dave Birkett on February 6. “I got lied to, so it was, whatever. I got told, respectfully, I was going to get brought back and didn’t get brought back. And offseason went real for me, signing back (with the Eagles) because I wasn’t really tripping on it. It all worked out.”
Despite his frustration, Gardner-Johnson’s return to the Eagles was solidified after a tumultuous year. He had signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract with the Lions but was sidelined for most of the 2023 season due to a torn pectoral muscle. He did return in time for the playoffs, though, playing in all three postseason games, including the Lions’ loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.
Drama Follows Gardner-Johnson
Known for his fiery demeanor both on and off the field, Gardner-Johnson has accumulated nearly $200,000 in fines during his career for a variety of offenses. These include illegal hits, unsportsmanlike conduct, fighting, and even taunting—six times. It’s safe to say, if there’s drama in the NFL, C.J. Gardner-Johnson is probably involved.
Drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Gardner-Johnson’s reputation as a fiery and unrelenting player has only grown over time. His aggressive playing style has made him one of the most polarizing figures in the league.
A Polling Favorite for ‘Most Annoying’ Player
Gardner-Johnson’s penchant for stirring the pot hasn’t gone unnoticed by his peers. In a recent anonymous poll of 110 NFL players conducted by The Athletic, Gardner-Johnson was named the “Most Annoying” player in the NFL—a title he earned with 20.9 percent of the vote. This came as no surprise, as he was also the top vote-getter in 2023’s “Biggest Trash Talker” category.
The poll, which broadened the question from last year’s focus on trash talking to a more general notion of annoyance, again crowned the Eagles defensive back as the player who gets under everyone’s skin. “Last season we asked players to name the biggest trash-talker. This year, we broadened the question to most annoying, leaving it to the players’ discretion to decide what qualified as annoying. Well, last year’s biggest trash-talker, Philadelphia Eagles defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson, took the crown again.”
A Star Player Despite the Drama
While Gardner-Johnson’s mouth often steals the spotlight, his on-field performance speaks for itself. In 2022, he led the NFL with six interceptions and continued his stellar play in 2024, contributing significantly to the Eagles’ No. 1-ranked defense. That season, he posted 59 tackles, 6 interceptions, 12 pass deflections, an interception return for a touchdown, and forced a fumble.
As the Eagles head into Super Bowl LVII, one thing is certain: C.J. Gardner-Johnson will not shy away from the spotlight—whether through his bold words or his exceptional play.
