Chauncey Gardner-Johnson Fitting in with Eagles Nicely
The Eagles may have struck gold in their tradw with the New Orleans Saints.
The Eagles acquired DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and a 2025 seventh-round pick from the Saints in exchange for a 2023 fifth-round pick and 2024 sixth-round pick.
While he got off to a bit of a slow start, after coming over to Philadelphia late in camp, he is starting to find his groove in the Eagles defense.
He had his biggest game with the birds on Sunday night, making four tackles, picking off two passes and breaking up two more in the teams 26-17 win over the Cowboys.
"He's obviously a great player and great playmaker and is able to take the football away," Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said on Monday. "I think one common denominator of why he fits in well with us is because he loves football and he loves to compete."
It’s easy to see why the Eagles made the deal to bring him to Philadelphia. The 24-year old is 5 foot 11, 210 and can play all over the field. He became available because he was entering the final year of his contract and he and the Saints were far apart on a new deal.
The two interceptions on Sunday night give him three picks in the last two week, making it seem like he is starting to get more comfortable in the Eagles defensive scheme.
"I cannot say too comfortable, because once you get comfortable, you don’t get better," Gardner-Johnson said after the game on Sunday. "I think every day is a learning process for me. I still left some plays on the field. There is still a lot of stuff out there that I can fix and clean up, but being out there and adjusting to a new position is amazing to go out there and compete with 10 other guys and 52 other guys who love to win. It is amazing to me right now."
Late in the fourth quarter, Gardner-Johnson recorded an interception on a deep pass from Dallas quarterback Cooper RIsh. That was not only his second interception of the night, but his second game in a row with an interception.
“I am feeling better. I am getting better adjusting to the defense and playing with what coach tells me to play," the 24-year old said. "Put your eyes in the right spot, read your keys, and go get the ball. I haven’t played the middle of the field in so long, so it feels good to come out onto the field like a hawk and go get the ball.”
He also picked Rush off early in the second quarter, setting the tone for the Eagles defense, and giving the Eagles the ball for their second score of the game.
With the game he had on Sunday Night, he should give the Eagles another defensive player of the week, which would be the sixth straight week an Eagles player would win a award.