C.J. Gardner-Johnson, a safety, won't be signing with the Denver Broncos in free agency.
According to numerous reports, the defensive back has reached an agreement on a $8 million, one-year contract with the Detroit Lions.
The New Orleans Saints selected Florida wide receiver Gardner-Johnson (5-11, 210 lbs) in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Prior to the 2022 season, the Saints traded Gardner-Johnson to the Philadelphia Eagles after Payton announced his resignation as head coach following the 2021 campaign.
When Gardner-Johnson played safety for Philadelphia last season, he totaled 67 tackles, eight pass breakups, six interceptions, and one sack while staying healthy for 12 games.
Gardner-Johnson was a nickelback for the Saints earlier in his career. The 25-year-old Gardner-Johnson, a defensive back with versatility, could fill a variety of positions in the secondary.
Gardner-Johnson has played in 55 games over the course of four NFL seasons, compiling 228 tackles, 36 pass breakups, 14 quarterback hits, 11 interceptions, and 4 sacks (43 starts).
Last Monday, when the defence followed the team's official Instagram account along with cornerback Pat Surtain, wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, and other Denver players,
speculation about Gardner-Johnson potentially joining the Broncos grew. A few days later, rumours about the Broncos' interest in Gardner-Johnson surfaced.
The safety will instead touch down in Detroit. Before Nick Scott joined the Cincinnati Bengals, Denver had interest in him as well.
It's obvious that the crew thinks they might use more assistance with safety.