It took him longer than expected, but it seems like C.J. Gardner-Johnson has finally made himself at home in the NFL. As talented as problematic, the Super Bowl-winning defensive back has now become a mainstay in Dennis Allen's defense.
Gardner-Johnson has logged 37 total tackles, five tackles for loss, five QB hits, 3.0 sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble in just seven games with the Chicago Bears. As such, it sounds doubtful that the Philadelphia Eagles will even stand a chance to talk to him in free agency.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson's Surge is Bad News for the Eagles
As things stand now, the Bears will need affordable depth in the secondary. They've spent a lot of money on Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, and with Nahshon Wright looking for a big payday after a breakout season, keeping Gardner-Johnson around will be of the utmost importance there. Both of their safeties will be free agents, meaning Gardner-Johnson can easily be a bridge option or a veteran mentor for a rookie.
On top of that, there's a strong case to be made for Gardner-Johnson being a better player than both Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard III. He's a versatile defensive back who can play at both safety and cornerback. He has plenty of postseason experience, and even though his relationship with Dennis Allen wasn't always the best, they're clearly on the same page now.
Of course, having him back in the City of Brotherly Love always seemed like a long shot, all things considered. He didn't appreciate it when the team traded him, and he took some shots at the organization after the move to the Houston Texans.
That being said, with Reed Blankenship most likely gone in free agency, CJGJ has also looked like a potential option for Vic Fangio's defense, and it would've been a disservice not to at least get him on the phone. His reputation would have likely hurt his chances of landing another contract elsewhere in the league. The Eagles have never hesitated to give a cast-off another chance on an affordable deal, though, even if they were the ones who cast that player off.
Gardner-Johnson is now playing his way into a long stay in the Windy City. Granted, we've all seen how quickly things can fall off a cliff with a hot-headed player like him. But barring a shocking turn of events, it seems like the former Super Bowl champion is going to stay in Chicago for years to come. Which means Roseman and Philadelphia's front office will likely have to look elsewhere to find an answer.