Nick Caserio may have pulled off a fast one. He traded Kenyon Green to the Philadelphia Eagles and a 2026 fifth round pick in exchange for C.J. Gardner-Johnson and a 2026 sixth round pick. It almost seems unreal. Gardner-Johnson was a starting safety for the Super Bowl Champion Eagles while Kenyon Green was getting benched mid-game for the Houston Texans.
So, we got in touch with Brandon Gowton of Bleeding Green Nation to get the lowdown CJGJ. What were we missing if anything? Of course, we returned the favor by filling him in on Green. Needless to say, at first blush it looks like the Texans got the better end of this one, but let’s see what he thinks.
Battle Red Blog: CJGJ obviously had some sparkling numbers last season. Why were the Eagles so eager to get rid of him? This seems like a low haul for a top flight secondary player. Is there something we are missing?
Brandon Gowton: So I can’t be accused of only speaking in hindsight, here’s what I wrote about CJGJ in our Eagles roster outlook series back on March 6:
“REVIEW: The Eagles brought CJGJ back to Philly with the idea that he’d invigorate their defense with swagger and play-making ability. He certainly delivered on that front. CJGJ logged six interceptions in 2024, which is the same amount he had with the Eagles in 2022. CJGJ helped the Eagles get to the Super Bowl for the second time in three seasons. “BTA.”
OUTLOOK: CJGJ, who turned 27 in December, is under contract through 2026. But he doesn’t have guaranteed money in his deal after 2025. The Eagles could conceivably rework his contract to give him more security.”
The Eagles cleared little cap space by trading CJGJ but they did save $8 million in cash spending. The team messaging seems to be that they needed to make some tough decisions since there big contract extensions for young core players are looming (see: Jalen Carter, Cam Jurgens, etc.)
One such player might be fellow starting safety Reed Blankenship, who is currently set to be a free agent after 2025. The guess here is that Eagles would like to sign him to an extension soon. And if they did that with CJGJ still on the team, it could lead to CJGJ also wanting a new deal that the Eagles didn’t want to hand out.
I think CJGJ is a good player and nice pickup for the Texans. But it’s also worth mentioning that this is the fourth time in four years that his team has decided to move on from him: Saints in 2022, Eagles in 2023, Lions in 2024, Eagles in 2025. I’m guessing he might not be a long-term fixture in Houston, either. His intense personality can be a positive but teams clearly seem to think there is also a detriment to having him around.
BRB: Is CJGJ more of a salary dump? How does this move play into their long-term plans this season?
BG: Again, not so much a cap space move for this season but it does help clear the books for next year. The Eagles are in a spot with their roster-building where they can’t just pay everyone. They have to go cheaper in certain spots and they’re choosing to do that at safety. Part of the impetus there is that they’re apparently still high on 2023 third-round pick Sydney Brown. They also added former first-round pick Lewis Cine as a reclamation project. The Eagles also might look to add a safety as early as the No. 32 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft with Malaki Starks (yet another Georgia player) commonly being linked to them. CJGJ was a sure thing and losing him doesn’t feel ideal. But the Eagles do have other options they can pivot to; they’re not left with a barren cupboard.
BRB: The Eagles defense was obviously a big reason for their success. What do they have waiting in the wings behind him?
BG: Sydney Brown is definitely the top contender to take over for CJGJ as it currently stands. He still needs to earn Vic Fangio’s trust, however. He also needs to prove he can stay healthy.
Lewis Cine is an a lottery ticket for the Eagles. They’ll get their first look at him in their system this offseason. The most likely outcome is that he’s a backup, though.
CJGJ isn’t the only defender the Eagles have moved on from since free agency unofficially began. The Birds also saw Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, Isaiah Rodgers, and Oren Burks walk out the door. The team is comfortable with those losses because they have young players behind them. They also have a general manager in Howie Roseman who’s quite capable of filling those voids.
BRB: What can you tell us about CJGJ the man? How do you think he will fit in the locker room?
BG: CJGJ has the potential to be a fan favorite in Houston. He plays with passion, energy, and swagger. He’s certainly not afraid to speak his mind. There are times when his trash talk has worked to his team’s benefit by getting under the skin of opponents. There was a time last season when he got ejected for two unsportsmanlike penalties in the same game and his absence negatively impacted the defense in a loss.
BRB: How does this trade immediately impact the Eagles offseason plans?
BG: The Eagles should probably add some more help at safety. Adding an inexpensive veteran would be ideal. They should also take one in the 2025 NFL Draft if the value is right. But even if they do make those additions, there’s a decent chance they roll with Sydney Brown as their Week 1 starter.
We want to thank Brandon for spending the time to help us get to know our newest Texan. We would like to congratulate him and the Eagles for vanquishing the Chiefs in the Super Bowl and winning their second Super Bowl championship. We want to wish him and the Eagles the best of luck this season as they aim to defend their title.