Sep 22, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (8) yells at New Orleans Saints tight end Foster Moreau (87) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images Stephen Lew
Orlando Arcia, meet C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
After the Eagles' defense limited a New Orleans Saints offense that scored 91 points through the first two weeks of the season to just 12 points Sunday, Gardner-Johnson had some strong thoughts on his former team. He didn't directly say them to the media, but he did so with media present in the locker room, including Bridget Condon of NFL Media:
CJ Gardner Johnson screaming in the locker room "They ain't no contenders they're pretenders. They have Derek Carr remember that."
Gardner-Johnson was traded to the Eagles by the Saints just days before the 2022 season began. It was Gardner-Johnson's contract year. Even though he's now in his second stint with the Eagles following a gap year with the Detroit Lions, Gardner-Johnson clearly hasn't forgotten the decision by general manager Mickey Loomis to trade him for a pair of late-round draft picks.
What's strange here is that Gardner-Johnson never played with Derek Carr, so he doesn't really have any reason to have animosity with him. But Carr certainly has his fair share of critics, and Gardner-Johnson remains skeptical of the veteran quarterback.
Is this smart to say about someone you could potentially see again in the postseason? Probably not. Although Gardner-Johnson doesn't seem to be someone who would take the advice of the PR staff. He's gonna say what he's gonna say.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson unplugged… pic.twitter.com/nVh4Y48o8U
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) September 22, 2024
