The Eagles will have to get creative to replace both starting safeties now that Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is reportedly signing with the Detroit Lions.
The NFL Network first reported Sunday night that Gardner-Johnson, who tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with 6 despite missing five games with a lacerated kidney, will sign a one-year deal worth up to $8 million, with $6.5 million guaranteed.
No doubt, Gardner-Johnson expected to get more in free agency, perhaps something approaching Jesse Bates’ deal with the Atlanta Falcons which was for four years and as much as $64 million. Gardner-Johnson tweeted late last week “The disrespect real” before deleting it.
Either, the Eagles refused to match or exceed the Lions’ offer for the 25-year-old Gardner-Johnson, or Gardner-Johnson just decided to take a prove-it deal and try again in free agency next year.
The Eagles lost their other starting safety, Marcus Epps, who signed a two-year deal worth as much as $12 million, with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Eagles have Reed Blakenship, who started in place of Gardner-Johnson while he was injured, along with K’Von Wallace. Avonte Maddox, the Eagles’ nickel corner, can also play safety, as can Josiah Scott.
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The Eagles could draft a safety with one of their early-round picks, or they can acquire one either in free agency or via trade. The Eagles traded for Gardner-Johnson last August, sending the Saints their fifth-round pick this spring and a sixth-round pick in 2024.
As for Gardner-Johnson, the Eagles apparently decided to spend on bringing back cornerbacks James Bradberry, whom they re-signed to a three-year deal worth as much as $38 million, and Darius Slay. Slay originally tweeted that the Eagles were going to release him after not reaching an agreement on an extension.
But that changed several hours later when the Eagles gave Slay an extension, thereby reducing Slay’s $26 million salary cap hit this season.
It apparently wasn’t enough to keep Gardner-Johnson as well.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.
