C.J. Gardner-Johnson contract: How much salary does the Eagles' safety earn with Philly?

When Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman acquired safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson from the New Orleans Saints last offseason, he practically exploited an arbitrage opportunity.

Gardner-Johnson was acquired by the Eagles from the Saints shortly before the start of the season in exchange for a 2023 fifth-round selection and a 2024 sixth-round pick. He was immediately shifted from the slot cornerback position he played in New Orleans to safety.

As per Spotrac, Gardner-Johnson has a three-year, $22.5 million contract. This amounts to an average annual income of $7.5 million, comparable to one of the highest payouts for players in his position in recent years. The top 13 safeties in the NFL are signed to contracts averaging over $10 million annually, while 22 safeties take home $7.5 million or more annually.

Now a free agent, Gardner-Johnson is expected to earn a big deal this summer. As per Spotrac, he might agree to a five-year, $66,658,780 contract, which would make him the NFL's 10th highest-paid in his position.

He showed what he's capable of in a contract year, and now the Eagles must pay up. Gardner-Johnson is likely to get the franchise tag, but if the Eagles don't pay the former fourth-round pick, perhaps another side will.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s timeline

C.J. Gardner-Johnson made 66 tackles in his last season with the Florida Gators and also had three sacks. After intercepting two passes and carrying one to the end zone in a victory over Michigan, he was voted the Peach Bowl's defensive MVP. He had won the Outback Bowl's MVP award the year before, when they defeated Iowa.

In the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints selected Gardner-Johnson 105th overall. After being traded to the Eagles from the New Orleans Saints in August, he had a career year. He has made a total of 67 tackles in his 12 regular-season outings, with one sack and eight passes defended.

This past season, C.J. Gardner-Johnson had to spend time on injured reserve after suffering a lacerated kidney. Nonetheless, he topped the league with six interceptions despite sitting out five games during the regular season.