Eagles’ Nick Sirianni Sends Clear Message on C.J. Gardner-Johnson Reunion
The Philadelphia Eagles secondary is banged up, and there suddenly is a player they know well available in C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Yet, coach Nick Sirianni is content with the players he has in his safeties room.
The Eagles head coach was asked about the team potentially bringing back Gardner-Johnson, who was released by the Houston Texans earlier this week and did not appear interested in bringing him back.
Gardner-Johnson won the Super Bowl with the Eagles in February and led the team in interceptions (6), finished fourth on the team in regular-season tackles (59) and had the second-most passes defended (12) in 2024.
Yet, he was traded to Houston in the off-season in what the team called a cost-saving measure.
Nick Sirianni ‘Excited About The’ Eagles Safeties
Gardner-Johnson has been an important member two Super Bowl teams for the Eagles, including last season’s team that won it all. He also had an NFL-high six INTs in 2022, helping the Eagles reach the Super Bowl before they lost 38-35 to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Yet, even despite that — and the injuries to cornerbacks Adoree’ Jackson and Jakorian Bennett, the latter of whom was placed on injured reserve Wednesday — Sirianni effectively stated he was not interested in bringing Gardner-Johnson back, even though it would cost them nothing, asset-wise.
“I really am excited about the room that we have,” Sirianni said. “They’ve done a really nice job to date.”
Sirianni singled out rookie second-round pick Andrew Mukuba as a difference maker, who has filled in Gardner-Johnson’s shoes nicely — playing alongside mainstay Reed Blankenship.
Through three games, Mukuba has 13 tackles, one-half sack, an interception, one tackle for loss and one pass defended, earning the 27th-best safety grade from Pro-Football Focus (67.9).
“We have a good, young player in Andrew Mukuba, who continues to get better, and I think that having Reed next to him is helping him get better,” Sirianni said. “Just how Reed got better with having [veteran backup safety] Marcus Epps in the building, and Reed said that and I’ve said that in here before about Marcus Epps.”
Even Mukuba’s backup Sydney Brown has shown he belongs, since he has played 80 percent of the team’s special-teams snaps but also filled in by starting at safety for the Eagles in their season-opening win against the Dallas Cowboys.
“Sydney’s doing a really good job on special teams and doing some work on defense, as well,” Sirianni said. “I’m really excited about that group and pleased with that group.”
C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s Off-Season Comments May Have Burned A Bridge With The Eagles
Gardner-Johnson reportedly hastened his exit from Houston by speaking ill of his teammates, and the fact he is not being considered by the Eagles may also have something to do with comments he made this off-season.
In light of his departure from Philadelphia, Gardner-Johnson was outspoken against Eagles management, especially defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
“I was a test dummy for them,” Gardner-Johnson shared on his Instagram story in June. “Now [Fangio] can be like ‘my scheme worked.’ Or did my skill set make it work?
“So yeah, let the salary cap be the ‘excuse.’”
Gardner-Johnson is obviously highly skilled yet his next team will be the fifth in as many seasons he has played for — including multiple stints with the Eagles. Some teams may just not want to deal with the headache.
Khalil Mack trade earns Chargers praise, Bears criticism
The Los Angeles Chargers have a future Hall of Famer on their defense in pass rusher Khalil Mack. While he's near the end of his career, Mack hasn't shown signs of slowing down any time soon. The former No.5 overall pick has had a long career with stops in Oakland and Chicago.
Mack has been part of some of the biggest trades in NFL history. The Raiders shipped him to the Bears in 2018 in exchange for two first-round picks, a third-round pick and a sixth-round pick. After four seasons in Chicago where they didn't win much, the Bears decided to unload Mack in the 2022 offseason.
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That's where the Chargers came in, who acquired the star pass rusher in exchange for a 2022 second-round pick and 2023 sixth-round pick.
Bill Barnwell of ESPN performed hindsight evaluations of the biggest trades from 2022-2023. He gave the Chargers high praise in their deal for Mack.
"Mack rounded back into form, making the Pro Bowl in each of the next three seasons. The 2024 nod might have been a little generous, but in 2023, Mack racked up 17 sacks and 21 tackles for loss, earning him deserved down-ballot Defensive Player of the Year attention. He is currently sidelined by an elbow injury, but Mack had missed just one game in his first three years with the Chargers. He has been healthy and productive."
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In Mack's 52 games with the Chargers, he has 51 quarterback hits, 40 tackles for a loss and 32 sacks. He's also made the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons with the Bolts. While a dislocated elbow will sideline him for a few weeks, he's been nothing but productive since being brought to Los Angeles.
"Clear win for the Chargers," said Barnwell. It sure was.
