Former Detroit Lions Safety Publicly Expresses That He Felt ‘Highly Disrespected’ by Philadelphia Eagles After Short-Lived Stint With Team

Former Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson has never been one to hold back, and this week he made headlines again with pointed comments about his brief tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles. In an explosive interview on a podcast episode released Monday, the outspoken defensive back said he felt “highly disrespected” by the Eagles’ front office, coaching staff, and even some teammates. While Gardner-Johnson has since returned to the Lions, signing a new deal with Detroit after a season marred by injury, his comments opened up a new chapter in what is proving to be one of the NFL’s more emotionally charged player-team separations in recent memory.

Gardner-Johnson joined the Eagles in 2022 via trade from the New Orleans Saints and immediately made his presence felt in the Philadelphia secondary. That season, he tied for the NFL lead in interceptions despite missing five games due to injury. His on-field production, versatility, and vocal leadership helped the Eagles reach Super Bowl LVII, where they ultimately lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in a high-scoring thriller. Despite the success, Gardner-Johnson found himself without a long-term deal when free agency opened. The Eagles chose not to franchise tag him or extend a multi-year contract offer, instead prioritizing other roster moves.

That decision still sits poorly with Gardner-Johnson.

“I gave my all for that team,” he said. “I played through pain, I showed up in big games, I led by example and vocally. I was all in. And when it came time for them to show love back, they turned their back on me. That’s why I say I was highly disrespected.”

According to Gardner-Johnson, the Eagles made what he considered to be a “lowball” one-year offer in free agency that came late in the process. He described it as being “more of a courtesy than a real offer.” The offer reportedly came with limited guarantees and performance-based incentives that fell short of what he believed he had earned. Instead of returning to Philadelphia, Gardner-Johnson signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Detroit Lions, a team led by former Saints coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes, both of whom he had worked with during his time in New Orleans.

His stint in Detroit hasn’t been without obstacles. Gardner-Johnson suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 2 of the 2023 season and missed most of the campaign. Despite the injury, the Lions maintained faith in him, signing him to another short-term deal this offseason with the hope that he’ll be fully healthy for 2025. The safety credited the Lions’ coaching staff and locker room environment as being more supportive and transparent than what he experienced in Philadelphia.

“The Lions treated me like a man. When I got hurt, they still had my back,” he said. “They didn’t throw me aside or try to play games. They were straight up. That’s how an organization should be.”

Gardner-Johnson’s frustrations with the Eagles also seem to go beyond contractual disagreements. During the podcast, he hinted at tension with some individuals in the Eagles’ locker room, though he didn’t name names. He referenced “a culture of favoritism” and said he felt like he was being “scapegoated” at times by members of the defensive staff.

“It’s crazy when you make plays and help win games, but people act like you’re the problem just because you’re vocal,” he added. “I speak the truth, and sometimes people don’t like that.”

When asked if he had any regrets about his time in Philadelphia, Gardner-Johnson paused for a moment before answering.

“Regret? Nah. I balled out. I did my job. I helped that team get to the Super Bowl,” he said. “But I regret thinking loyalty would be returned. That’s not how this league works.”

The Eagles, for their part, have not responded publicly to Gardner-Johnson’s latest comments. When asked about him earlier in the offseason, head coach Nick Sirianni simply said the team appreciated his contributions in 2022 and wished him the best. However, sources close to the Eagles’ front office suggest that they viewed Gardner-Johnson’s injury history and outspoken personality as potential risks in a long-term contract negotiation. With the emergence of younger, cheaper defensive backs and the team’s tight salary cap situation, re-signing him was not prioritized.

Gardner-Johnson’s statements come at a time when players are becoming increasingly vocal about the business side of football. More and more athletes are using social media and podcast appearances to share their side of stories that might otherwise go unexplored. In Gardner-Johnson’s case, the unfiltered honesty may alienate some, but it also reflects a broader push by players to control their narratives.

Several current and former players came to his defense online after the interview went viral. Former teammate Darius Slay reposted a clip with a supportive caption, while All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu commented, “CJ speaks his mind. That’s what makes him dangerous on the field.”

As the 2025 season approaches, Gardner-Johnson will have a chance to let his play do the talking. The Lions are expected to contend for the NFC North crown again, and Gardner-Johnson is slated to return to a key role in Aaron Glenn’s defense. If he can stay healthy, the 26-year-old could reestablish himself as one of the league’s top playmaking safeties—and potentially earn the type of long-term deal that has eluded him thus far.

Still, the emotional weight of his time in Philadelphia clearly lingers. Whether his comments serve as motivation, closure, or just catharsis remains to be seen. But what’s clear is that Gardner-Johnson wants the football world—and the Eagles— to know that he felt undervalued and unappreciated.

“For anyone who’s ever been doubted or overlooked, I’m playing for you,” he said, near the end of the interview. “This season, I’m coming back with something to prove. Not just to the league, but to myself. I know what I’m worth.”

It’s the kind of chip-on-the-shoulder mentality that has long defined Gardner-Johnson’s approach to football. Drafted in the fourth round by the Saints in 2019, he quickly developed a reputation as a gritty, physical, and talkative presence in the secondary. He’s been involved in several on-field skirmishes and exchanges, including a high-profile altercation with Bears receiver Javon Wims in 2020. But behind the bravado lies a player who has consistently outperformed expectations.

The Eagles, meanwhile, are moving forward with a revamped secondary, having drafted and developed several younger defensive backs over the past two seasons. Still, Gardner-Johnson’s impact on their 2022 Super Bowl run isn’t forgotten among fans. Some remain puzzled why a long-term deal couldn’t be reached, while others cite salary cap flexibility and personality dynamics as reasons for the split.

The next time Gardner-Johnson steps onto the field against Philadelphia—if the schedule provides such an opportunity—there’s no doubt it’ll carry extra meaning. And whether or not he ever wears an Eagles uniform again, he’s made one thing clear: he won’t let what happened in Philadelphia define him, but he also won’t forget it.

“I’m not bitter,” he concluded. “But I’m not blind, either. I saw what it was. I lived it. Now it’s my turn to show what happens when you bet against me.”

For C.J. Gardner-Johnson, football has always been personal. Now, it’s also deeply emotional. And when the whistle blows this fall, he plans to let every hit, every tackle, and every interception send a message loud and clear: disrespect me, and I’ll make sure you remember it.