Eagles acquire Gardner-Johnson from Saints
The New Orleans Saints have traded defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Eagles announced Tuesday.
New Orleans will receive the Eagles' 2023 fifth-round pick and the lower of Philadelphia's two 2024 sixth-rounders in exchange for Gardner-Johnson and a 2025 seventh-round selection.
The Saints opted to move Gardner-Johnson after extension talks broke down, sources told Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The 24-year-old is entering a contract season.
"I want to say: That was not an easy decision ... We wouldn't have done that if we didn't feel extremely confident in the group we that we have," Saints head coach Dennis Allen said.
Gardner-Johnson is expected to be a full-time safety with the Eagles after New Orleans used him in a versatile role.
Selected by the Saints in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Gardner-Johnson spent the first three seasons of his career with New Orleans. He started 31 games (with 12 further appearances), producing 161 total tackles, three interceptions, and 28 pass defenses.
The Eagles made room for Gardner-Johnson in their secondary by releasing Anthony Harris, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Harris, 30, started 14 games last year in his lone season with the NFC East club.