When Gardner-Johnson returned to Philadelphia, he wasted little time in attempting to appease Eagles supporters
who were still upset with him for earlier remarks.
After spending one intriguing, albeit brief, season with the Detroit Lions, the explosive defensive back re-signed for
three years at a cost of $33 million with the Eagles.
During the offseason, Gardner-Johnson said he couldn’t “(expletive) take the (expletives”)” and that the “(expletive)
obnoxious” people in Philadelphia were his least favorite thing about the city. However, it was prudent of him to
attempt to mend those bridges almost as soon as word leaked out that he had secured the long-term contract he was
seeking in Philadelphia.
“I do owe the fans of Philly an apology, regardless this is an amazing place and we had some memories together,”
Gardner-Johnson wrote on the program that was formerly known as Twitter. Let’s go grab a #FlyEaglesFly together.
It should come as no surprise that the most of responses were positive given how much 2023 missed Gardner-
Johnson’s playmaking abilities. In response, several said, “Acting out,” “We’re toxic dawg, but it’s all love,” and
“Family sometimes fights.” In this city, you are a legend.
The one season Gardner-Johnson spent in Detroit wasn’t what he had hoped for. He missed the entire season after
sustaining a torn pectoral in Week 2. That day, Gardner-Johnson successfully intercepted one pass, and he added
another during the team’s divisional-round victory over the Tampa Bay Bucs. He demonstrated the ball-hawking
abilities that have kept his worth high even after a contentious offseason and a season marred by injuries. The 26-
year-old’s only 2022 season with the Eagles was considerably more successful. He moved to safety and, as a vital
component of Philly’s defense, led the NFL with six interceptions on the way to the Super Bowl.
The Lions have Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu after releasing Tracy Walker and allowing Gardner-Johnson to
walk. They’ll probably add one or two more players to that room in the next NFL draft or through free agency.
