NFL free agency: Predicting the best free agent all 32 teams will sign in 2023
By Ryan Heckman
Predicting the best free agent the Philadelphia Eagles will sign: C.J. Gardner-Johnson, DB
The Philadelphia Eagles defense didn’t become this potent by accident. The team is chock-full of playmakers, sure. They have great players at every level of their defense. But, it wasn’t until they traded for C.J. Gardner-Johnson that this unit was taken to the next level.
The Eagles made a deal to acquire a guy who ended up being their X-factor this past season. Gardner-Johnson is arguably the best defensive back on the market this offseason, but he’ll stay in Philadelphia after what he proved he could do.
Philadelphia’s defense led the league when it came to opposing passing yards, giving up the fewest in the NFL. As a whole, they were third in the league in takeaways with 27. Gardner-Johnson, specifically, finished with six interceptions in 12 games played. That was good for twice as many as his previous career-high.
One of the biggest reasons Philly will bring him back? He’s everywhere. Watch an Eagles game this season and you’ll see number 23 at the tail end of so, so many plays. The guy is a relentless football player, and his motor and energy are a huge reason why the defense was lifted to new heights in 2022.