Getty C.J. Gardner-Johnson celebrates after a 2022 game in Indianapolis.
The Detroit Lions made a huge late-night addition on March 19, securing the services of free agent safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Their new player wasted little time fitting in.
Moments after ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the deal on Twitter, Gardner-Johnson tweeted: “Number 2” along with a thinking emoji, presumably a shout-out to the jersey number he’d like to wear as Lion. During his one season with the Philadelphia Eagles, he wore number 23 and with the New Orleans Saints, he wore number 22.
Number 2 🤔
Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone, who played with Gardner-Johnson at the University of Florida in 2016 and with the Saints in 2019 quickly lent his stamp of approval, just five days after signing a contract extension with the Lions.
“Lions #2- C.J. Johnson,” Anzalone tweeted. Last season, defensive end Austin Bryant wore number 2 for the Lions, but as an unrestricted free agent who has not been re-signed to this point, it appears he may not be on the Lions in 2023.
Gardner-Johnson signed a one-year deal will pay him $8 million next season, ranking him 20th among NFL safeties.
Detroit Lions Teammates Thrilled About C.J. Gardner-Johnson Deal
Gardner-Johnson, 25, will inject ball-hawking prowess into the Lions secondary. His six interceptions tied him with three other players for the league lead in 2022.
Anzalone wasn’t the only Lions to defender to get on Twitter after news of the signing.
“Now that’s what I’m talking about that’s a dawg We just on board!!!! Literally [flexed-bicep emoji],” tweeted cornerback Jerry Jacobs.
Now that’s what I’m talking about that’s a dawg We just got on board!!!! Literally 💪🏾
Defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs also seemed to approve of the Lions’ signing when he responded to Schefter’s report by tweeting, “Defensive Definitely Finna Go Crazy [sunglasses emoji].”
C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s Career Stats & Highlights
The Lions’ pass defense finished 30th in the league in yardage allowed with 4,179 total yards (245.8 yards per game), and it was in the bottom half of the league in touchdowns allowed (22) and interceptions (12). Gardner-Johnson’s Eagles, on the other hand, gave up the fewest yards through the air (3,057).
Gardner-Johnson could be expected to help shore those weaknesses up in a big way.
At his introductory press conference on March 20, he praised his new secondary.
“To be honest with you, [the Lions defensive backs are] a little bit better,” Gardner-Johnson said. “But that’s just on me. Everybody can look at the outside looking in, but this team is talented. This team, we can win a division. Everybody should feel that way. But when I look at the team, coming from where I came from, all the teams I’ve played on, won multiple divisions, been to playoff games, been to the Super Bowl, this team has what it takes to win a division, you know what I’m saying, get there, win a division, get to the playoffs.”
In his career, Gardner-Johnson has posted 228 tackles and 11 interceptions. He was a standout in New Orleans until a 2022 trade that sent him to New Orleans in exchange for a fifth and sixth-round pick in 2024.
Highlights show a hard hitting player who can cover a lot of ground on the back end, something Detroit was missing in 2022.