CJ Gardner-Johnson Joins Exclusive Group of Former Eagles Players

One of the biggest differences between the 2023 Philadelphia Eagles and the 2024 team is the defense. The Eagles were the second-worst Pass Defense during the 2023 season and allowed the third most points (25.2 per game allowed) in the NFL.

But in 2024, the Eagles Defense has allowed the third-fewest points in the NFL (18.1 per game) and has allowed the fewest Passing yards in the league this season. Philadelphia's Defense has allowed over 400 Total Yards in only two games and only lost one of those games.

While many people will credit Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio for the turnaround of the Eagles' Defense, one could argue he would not have had so much success as a play-caller without an important addition this offseason.

The return of CJ Gardner-Johnson to Philadelphia has brought stability back to the Defensive Secondary. CJGJ is one of the leaders on the Eagles' Defense and the biggest reason why the Washington Commanders scored 22 Points in the 4th Quarter against the Eagles in NFL Week 16 was that the 27-year-old Safety was kicked out of the game.

In 2023, the Eagles were bottom ten in the NFL in Defensive Turnovers forced and now they are sixth best in the league during the 2024 season. CJ Gardner-Johnson has Six Interceptions this season for the Eagles, the same number he had in the 2022 season for Philadelphia's Defense.

Eagles Safety Recognized For His Great Play

The NFL announced that the NFC Defensive Player of the Week is CJ Garder-Johnson for NFL Week 17. CJGJ had Two Interceptions and 2 Passes Deflected along with scoring a Defensive Touchdown in the Eagles' 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

CJ Garder-Johnson becomes the fourth Eagles player to win an NFC Player of the Week award this season. He joins Saquon Barkley (5 times), Zack Baun (NFL Week 10), and Braden Mann (NFL Week 13) as winners of the award this season.

Before CJ Gardner-Johnson, there were four Eagles Safeties who have won the NFC Defensive Player of the Week Award. Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins won the award three times while three-time Pro Bowl selection Malcolm Jenkins won the award twice. Also on the list of Eagles Safeties to win the award are Kurt Coleman and Wes Hopkins.

Considering his impact on the Philadelphia Eagles Defense this season, he should be on the list of the top-selling Eagles Jerseys in 2024. There are seven former and current Eagles Defensive Players who are in the Top 25 Best Selling Eagles Jerseys: