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C.J. Gardner-Johnson Addresses Eagles Fan Beef After Re-Signing

C.J. Gardner-Johnson has reunited with the fan base he called "f------ obnoxious," and he has addressed his past issues with the city of Philadelphia.

By Jason Schandl

Nov 27, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23)
Nov 27, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) / Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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The return of C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Philadelphia brought some mixed emotions for Eagles fans. Adding a top-end defensive back is exactly what this team needed to do, so that felt like a big win. But Gardner-Johnson didn't exactly earn much goodwill from fans in Philly on his way out, famously bashing "the people" as his least favorite part of the city, calling them "f---ing obnoxious."

However, Gardner-Johnson appears ready to mend the relationship in his new stint in Philly.

How serious is he about this apology? Is he just saying it because he has to now? How serious was he about this insult in the first place? Was he just bitter about leaving?

More importantly: do any of those questions matter?

Winning cures everything. The only time fans need to spend time obsessing over off-field stuff like that is when the product on the field isn't earning its place in the spotlight. Howie Roseman knows that, and that must have been on his mind when he brought CJGJ back.

The Eagles rank second in the odds to win the NFC East in 2024, trailing the Dallas Cowboys. If Philly doesn't win the division, fans will find things to complain about whether Gardner-Johnson is in town or not. If they win the division, Gardner-Johnson could double down on his insult, and nobody would be all that bothered.

And let's face it, CJGJ makes the Eagles more likely to win. A versatile DB who can play both safety and slot corner, Gardner-Johnson missed most of the 2023 season with injuries, but was a clear difference-maker when he was on the field for the Detroit Lions.

In his limited action, Pro Football Focus gave him the highest overall grade of his career for the season, and he made a major impact both in coverage and against the run.

With Avonte Maddox gone and Reed Blankenship having no help at the other safety spot, Gardner-Johnson also fills a major need. We hope Sydney Brown can step up in one of those spots, but hope shouldn't be your plan A when you're trying to win one of the most competitive divisions in football.

Love him or hate him now, Gardner-Johnson will be a fan favorite again if the Eagles can make a deep playoff run.

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