The Philadelphia Eagles made a surprising move this offseason, trading away safety CJ Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans. While some fans were disappointed to see him go, the trade appears to be a mutually beneficial decision for both teams.
Gardner-Johnson, who had a stellar 2024 season with the Eagles, recording six interceptions, 12 passes defended, and 59 total tackles, was traded to Houston in a move primarily aimed at freeing up cap space for Philadelphia. Despite his outspoken nature since the trade, his talent is undeniable.
Gardner-Johnson's Value to Houston
Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports ranked Gardner-Johnson's move to the Texans as the fifth-best deal of the offseason, citing his potential impact on the team. Kerr believes Gardner-Johnson will thrive in DeMeco Ryans' defense and provide valuable veteran leadership to Houston's young cornerbacks, strengthening their secondary.
A Playoff Push for CJ?
The Houston Texans are a team on the rise, and Gardner-Johnson's addition could be the piece they need to make a deep playoff run. If all goes well, he will have another shot to compete for a Super Bowl. Interestingly, the Eagles and Texans aren't scheduled to play each other in 2025, meaning the only possible matchup would be in the Super Bowl itself.
Ultimately, the Eagles' decision to acquire Gardner-Johnson before the 2024 season proved successful. While his talent is undeniable, trading him to Houston was a strategic move to allocate resources to other areas of the team. This trade could very well be a win-win situation for both the Eagles and CJ Gardner-Johnson.