Latest news with #CJGardnerJohnson
Yahoo
3 days ago
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- Yahoo
Eagles' Reed Blankenship Could Be Next Up for Major Move
Eagles' Reed Blankenship Could Be Next Up for Major Move originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Following the offseason departures of cornerback Darius Slay and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the Philadelphia Eagles quickly became one of the youngest teams in the league along their secondary. Advertisement Young corners like Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Kelee Ringo now patrol the defensive backfield The elder statesman of the group has now changed as well. Former undrafted safety turned starter Reed Blankenship may only be 26 years old, but he's now become the longest-tenured player in Philadelphia's secondary. He's also in line for a contract extension this season. Blankenship is entering the final year of his rookie deal with the Eagles. During his four-year run with the team, he has accumulated eight picks, including a career-high four this past season. As the team gets ready for the month-long break before training camp, The Athletic reported that Blankenship remains in Philadelphia's plans. Advertisement "Fourth-year safety Reed Blankenship, who's entering the final year of his contract, is a candidate for a summer extension," The Athletic wrote this week. There's good reason to think a deal will be done. Not only is Blankenship a durable starter, but he's also an effective leader in the back end. He also has the trust of his coaching staff. "He's done a good job," Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said about Blankenship via Bleeding Green Nation last year. "He quarterbacks the secondary and leads the communication between them and the linebackers. So, he's very, very valuable." Blankenship won't be the only player in line for an extension this season, but he is someone that the Eagles want to keep. If they can find a way to agree, the Middle Tennessee product can continue his career with the same team that gave him a chance as a UDFA. Advertisement Related: Barkley's Rise Is Redefining Greatness Related: Eagles Analysis Wonders If Jalen Hurts Has Reached His Ceiling This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
C.J. Rips Eagles Odds of Super Bowl Repeat
C.J. Rips Eagles Odds of Super Bowl Repeat originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Ever since the Philadelphia Eagles traded him to the Houston Texans this offseason, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson has trashed his former team. Advertisement From criticism of former teammates to his former coach, Gardner-Johnson has done everything in his power to burn the bridges that brought him to Philly in the first place. He's at it again this week as well. During one of his Instagram livestreams, Gardner-Johnson read a comment that stated he would never see another ring without the Eagles. Instead of ignoring it as usual fan criticism, Gardner-Johnson spoke out. "That's crazy," Gardner-Johnson responded. "They probably won't see one without me. (Expletive) you talking about. You saw what happened when I left. I'm popping now. (Explitive) you talking about, I'm glad I'm in Texas. They say everything is better in Texas." Advertisement To be frank … It doesn't reflect well when a player is so thin-skinned that he is responding to fans around the league. That is who Gardner-Johnson is, though. He had an opportunity to be considered an all-time great Eagle even after his departure. The fanbase is always loyal to athletes who help them win championships even after they leave the city. Instead, Gardner-Johnson isn't interested in being a hero in the city. He would, it seems, rather be someone universally hated around the league. Considering he's on his fourth different team this year in as many seasons, it's clear he's OK with that. Advertisement The latest comments show a player who can't seem to let anything go. And while maybe a chip on his shoulder fuels him, we wonder if his volatile approach will be detrimental to his career and legacy across the NFL. Related: Eagles Young Lineman Labeled Breakout Candidate Related: Eagles Leader Says Three Rookies Are Turning Heads at Camp This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Quiet' Zack Baun Poised For Major Difference with Philadelphia Eagles
'Quiet' Zack Baun Poised For Major Difference with Philadelphia Eagles originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In the first five years of his career, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun has never been a leader on any of the defenses he's played on. Advertisement That is about to change. The Eagles saw the departures of several of their defensive leaders from last season. Cornerback Darius Slay is in Pittsburgh, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was traded to Houston, and edge rusher Brandon Graham retired. There's a hole in the team's leadership room on defense. The organization hopes Baun will step into that role. Throughout offseason workouts, the All-Pro was getting used to it. "It's kind of different for me," Baun said. "Obviously, I'm a quiet guy. I kinda don't say much and try to keep things to myself naturally. I'm more of a lead-by-example type guy, but as I feel more comfortable towards the guys in the locker room - I feel more natural talking to everyone and being that more vocal leader now." Advertisement With fellow linebackers like Jihaad Campbell and Nakobe Dean recovering from injuries, Baun - in a major ask - will need to do more than just be an All-Pro in 2025. He'll need to produce on the field but help keep the unit afloat from a leadership perspective. Philadelphia is counting on him to be the kind of leader many legends have been in past years. If Baun can meet those demands, the Eagles unit should not miss a beat in their work toward a Super Bowl title defense. Related: Eagles Young Lineman Labeled Breakout Candidate Related: Eagles Leader Says Three Rookies Are Turning Heads at Camp This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texans C.J. Gardner-Johnson Doesn't Hold Back on Eagles Trade Ahead of Minicamp
Texans C.J. Gardner-Johnson Doesn't Hold Back on Eagles Trade Ahead of Minicamp originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Over offseason after their Super Bowl LIX win, the Philadelphia Eagles shocked the NFL world with the trade of a key safety that helped hold off the Kansas City Chiefs. Advertisement The Eagles traded C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans in exchange for former first-round pick Kenyon Green and a 2026 fifth-round selection, even after Gardner-Johnson posted six interceptions last season. Months after the trade, Gardner-Johnson has talked about the trade and even took to social media recently to seemingly respond to comments made by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. At a workout and interview with Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, Gardner-Johnson talked about being "disrespected" by the offseason buzz. "I feel highly disrespected, but it's a business,' Gardner-Johnson said. 'Never was an All-Pro or Pro Bowl! Never! Led the league in interceptions. What more do you want? Advertisement 'People say, 'He's a hazard, he's this, he's that.' I never been no hazard, bro. They got no real issues on me. That black ball ain't going to work on me, because I got me a ring. I got me one. I got three more championships in me. I'm probably going to win the next three. I'm going to get me another Super Bowl this year. Just watch.' Gardner-Johnson, 27, has set his sights on Super Bowl LX with the Texans. Houston is a franchise with a talented roster, especially its stacked defense, but they've never reached the AFC title game before with six losses in the divisional round of the playoffs. Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson before Super Bowl Streicher-Imagn Images Regardless, Gardner-Johnson is eager to join head coach DeMeco Ryans' squad and make an immediate impact. Advertisement "I can't speak for everybody, but I know that we're gonna get in there and be at the top at the end of the year and have a chance to compete for a championship," Gardner-Johnson said. 'I think that's why I'm here. I'm proud to be a Texan. I want to make coach Ryans proud. Coming together and trying to win one together, it would be kind of amazing.' Related: C.J. Stroud Puts Injury Concerns to Rest This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles Bet on Breakout Potential of Kenyon Green and Azeez Ojulari
Eagles Bet on Breakout Potential of Kenyon Green and Azeez Ojulari originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles have made headlines with their offseason acquisitions of guard Kenyon Green and outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari. According to ESPN's Bill Barnwell in his latest breakout candidates analysis, both players are positioned to have career-defining seasons in 2025. Advertisement The Eagles acquired Green from the Houston Texans in exchange for safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, representing a classic change-of-scenery gamble. Green's NFL journey has been marked by adversity since being selected 15th overall in 2022. After struggling as a rookie, he missed all of 2023 with a shoulder injury and was benched in October 2024, allowing five sacks and 28 total pressures in 582 snaps. But Barnwell sees significant upside in Green's move to Philadelphia, writing that legendary offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland could unlock the former Texas A&M star's potential. The two-time consensus All-American will work under Stoutland, who transformed Mekhi Becton from struggling project to capable contributor. At 23, Green moves from Houston's struggling line to Philadelphia's dominant unit with minimal pressure, earning just $1.4 million in 2025. Meanwhile, the Eagles signed Ojulari to a one-year, $4 million deal after four seasons with division-rival New York. Despite injury concerns, Barnwell identifies Ojulari as a prime breakout candidate due to his talent and Philadelphia's system. The former Giants pass rusher set a franchise rookie record with eight sacks in 2021 but has battled injuries, playing only 29 of 51 games over his last three seasons. When healthy, he's been productive, with six sacks in 11 games in 2024. One compelling aspect of Ojulari's signing is his reunion with former Georgia teammates including Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith and Nakobe Dean. This familiarity could accelerate his integration into a defense that just won a Super Bowl. He'll serve as a situational pass rusher, escaping the shadow of Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns in New York. Despite his injury history, he was projected to earn $7.6 million per season, making his $4 million deal excellent value. Advertisement Both players represent classic low-risk, high-reward acquisitions that championship teams make. Barnwell's analysis highlights shrewd moves by general manager Howie Roseman — reclamation projects with first-round pedigree who could become significant contributors. For a team that won the Super Bowl with similar change-of-scenery success stories like Saquon Barkley and Zack Baun, Green and Ojulari represent the next wave of potential breakout stars in Philadelphia's remarkable ability to maximize talent through smart acquisitions. Related: Eagles' 'Exciting Whites' Turn Championship Buzz Into Chart-Topping Podcast Related: Isaiah Rodgers Pays Tribute to Eagles After Career Revival and Big Payday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
