The Philadelphia Eagles surprised a lot of folks on Tuesday when it was announced they were trading safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Texans in exchange for OG Kenyon Green and a pick swap. It was a move that wasn’t really on anyone’s offseason radar, but seems to reflect comments Howie Roseman made at the NFL Combine about needing young players to step up and to expect the unexpected in this year’s roster building.
The reactions, however, were swift and most fans were instantly confused and upset to see someone who was the energy of the defense go elsewhere. The Eagles’ 2023 defense was completely lackluster without the loud, but talented, DB — they obviously missed him enough to bring him back in 2024.
This isn’t CJGJ’s first time being traded, and it seems like he’s taking the news in stride.
I love you Philly, we forever champions
— C.J. Gardner-Johnson (@CGJXXIII) March 11, 2025
There were a lot of various reactions to the news, including some from current and former Eagles, and analysts around the league. A lot of the Philly beat explained that the organization was looking at Sydney Brown to take on a bigger role this season.
Howie SZN
— Lane Johnson (@LaneJohnson65) March 11, 2025
I hate that move @CGJXXIII is our heartbeat and an attitude to our team … who replaces that fire that DOG???
— LeSean Shady Mccoy (@CutonDime25) March 11, 2025
It’s my understanding that the Eagles are doing everything they can to keep money available to keep the core of their team together and they want to see what third round draft pick Sydney Brown can do at safety. He will compete at safety with Cj Gardner Johnson traded. They are… pic.twitter.com/AcXRjxHYN3
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) March 11, 2025
Is this good value for a player as talented/valuable as Chauncey? Almost certainly not.
Is this trade more about locker room/money/off-field stuff than it is on-field stuff? Almost certainly.
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) March 11, 2025
The trade of CJ Gardner Johnson opens door to Sydney Brown to start. #Eagles love him and he was hampered by knee rehab and concussion last year. He was a third-round pick.
— Ed Kracz (@kracze) March 11, 2025
The CJGJ trade is not going to a fan fave.
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) March 11, 2025
Kenyon Green is only 23-years-old but has just one season remaining on his rookie contract.
Safety is now certainly a position to watch for the Eagles early in the 2025 NFL Draft.
— Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaNFL) March 11, 2025
Kenyon Green was one of the worst OL in the league last year, so I’m not gonna like this trade at all for Philly. But if there is any team that can get him right, it’s probably the Eagles https://t.co/llXUAmLXHi
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) March 11, 2025
A couple dominoes fall with this #Eagles trade:
— C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s departure creates a vacancy at safety opposite Reed Blankenship. Sydney Brown might be the in-house candidate to replace him. Lewis Cine and Tristin McCollum are other options.
— Kenyon Green’s arrival… https://t.co/eHWjmPhhLC
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 11, 2025
CJGJ helped take them to a Super Bowl in 2022. They got rid of him and the defense suffered. Couldn’t make plays. No swagger. He comes back last year, they go to a Super Bowl again. Now, he leaves again. I know he’s a locker room headache, but that’s not a surprise!
— John Stolnis (@JohnStolnis) March 11, 2025
I’ll preface by saying I’ve never been the biggest CJGJ fan and think Eagles fans consistently overvalue him…
But Kenyon Green has been the worst player in the league at LG for 3 years and will now try to move to RG in a contract year where he will either be a disaster again…
— Shane Haff (@ShaneHaffNFL) March 11, 2025
Can’t ever overreact to any one move.
There are always multiple reasons why moves are made. It’s a puzzle. https://t.co/X0DRm3LjVx
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) March 11, 2025
