Heading into free agency, it was clear to many that former Philadelphia Eagles star C.J. Gardner-Johnson was one of the top free-agent safeties on the market. But even though that probably was the case, it looks like a mistake between him and his agent ended up costing him millions in contract money and a chance to return to his previous team.
According to a report from Philadelphia Eagles reporter Reuben Frank of NBC Sports, the Philadelphia Eagles initially offered C.J. Gardner-Johnson a contract that’s bigger than the one he just signed with the Detroit Lions. But he rejected it before realizing he couldn’t get a bigger contract anywhere else.
“I’m told the Eagles did indeed make an offer at the start of free agency, but it wasn’t what C.J. wanted, and he turned it down, and by the time he realized he had misjudged the market, the Eagles had moved onto other priorities. So he signed for less with Detroit,” Frank said in a tweet on Sunday night.
I'm told the Eagles did indeed make an offer at the start of free agency, but it wasn't what C.J. wanted, and he turned it down, and by the time he realized he had misjudged the market, the Eagles had moved onto other priorities. So he signed for less with Detroit.
— Reuben Frank (@RoobNBCS) March 20, 2023
It’s a pretty terrible mistake between Gardner-Johnson and his agent that ultimately cost him a lot of money and a chance to stay with his previous team.
As a result, the NFL world had plenty to say about it on Twitter.
Nah I don’t think it’s the Eagles spinning it. The fact that it took him over a week just proves Roob right
— Brandon (@BrandonnTCook) March 20, 2023
Oh so that's what happened…. Fumbled the bag. OOF!! https://t.co/v2pM4DRJwI
— Retired Paco (@PacoTheeTacoBoy) March 20, 2023
This is the official story, it doesn't add up to me. https://t.co/VhPXm1g2nT
— Steamboat Philly (@YoshkeZoidberg) March 20, 2023
he was tryna be the highest paid safety man ☠️☠️☠️ https://t.co/r00WjkOJhy
— 🪦🦇 (@DEADMAN_pt3) March 20, 2023
Makes sense on why @CGJXXIII switched agents this weekend… somebody misjudged the market and cost him some Millions https://t.co/na9x2K8hgD
— Lord Brunson tweets (@lord_brunson) March 20, 2023
Regardless of what happened, the Eagles let a PB caliber safety walk for what they are paying the backup QB. This one hurts
— Don Gregg (@libe613) March 20, 2023
It’s a costly mistake that both the Eagles and Gardner-Johnson will likely regret.
