(Photo by Brian Cleary/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Eagles had a dominant, well-rounded team in 2022.
They were the third-highest-scoring offense in the league, and their defense was tied for the eighth-fewest points allowed.
One of their most impactful defensive players was safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who just completed his fourth NFL season.
While Gardner-Johnson could command a strong contract in free agency, NFL analyst Ryan Clark believes that the Eagles should retain him.
.@Realrclark25 thinks C.J. Gardner-Johnson is a ‘must-keep’ in Philadelphia
“I’m not comparing the two, but as important as Jalen Hurts is to this offense, I believe C.J. Gardner-Johnson plugs in the exact same way defensively.” pic.twitter.com/qdNZcEwAlF
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) March 9, 2023
Jalen Hurts is a staple of the Eagles’ offense, and should be in for a massive contract extension in the next few years.
As Clark puts it, “as important as Jalen Hurts is to this offense, I believe that C.J. Gardner-Johnson plugs in the exact same way defensively.”
Gardner-Johnson was a fourth-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2019, where he spent his first three seasons.
He had a career year in 2022, racking up 67 total tackles, one sack, and six interceptions.
If the Eagles do not retain him, they will likely need to sign a marquee free agent, considering Gardner-Johnson is one of the top safeties in the league.
Currently, the Eagles are $5 million under the salary cap.
Will the team sign Gardner-Johnson to a contract extension before free agency begins on March 15?
The NFC will likely be the weaker of the two conferences again in 2023, leaving the Eagles in a prime position to get back to the Super Bowl.
Even though they were led by Hurts and the offense, their defense was in the top half of total production across the league, and Gardner-Johnson was a big part of it.
The post NFL Analyst Says The Eagles ‘Must Keep’ 1 Player In Free Agency appeared first on The Cold Wire.
