Not lengthy after successful the Tremendous Bowl, the Philadelphia Eagles had two of their key gamers on the defensive aspect of the ball producing some stress.
It began when the seasoned veteran Darius Slay, who assessed the state of the Eagles’ secondary management, disregarded CJ Gardner-Johnson’s identify whereas making his feedback.
Reed Blankenship received credit score for being the group’s chief within the eyes of Slay. Not lengthy after these feedback went public, Gardner-Johnson made a social media publish that raised eyebrows.
“You’d assume emotions can be mutual after an amazing season,” Gardner-Johnson wrote on social media. “Aye, twin, maintain that [expletive] strong.”
Was it a shot? Gardner-Johnson adopted up by stating that his publish was “nothing about” the Eagles. He additionally added that every thing was “good.” Darius Slay publicly claimed that there was no dangerous blood between Gardner-Johnson and him. Nonetheless, the followers weren’t shopping for it.
Quick ahead a couple of months later, and Gardner-Johnson felt he wanted to deal with the scenario yet another time. In a sit-down with Click2Houston’s Aaron Wilson, Gardner-Johnson cleared the air.
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“Let’s clear this Slay (stuff) up now,” he mentioned. “I received no drawback with him. He is a decent vet. I ain’t by no means going to hate on somebody like that. When that actual Florida (persona) stroll in that constructing, they know.”
At this level, Gardner-Johnson and Slay have gone their separate methods. Neither will go well with up for the Eagles subsequent season, as they’ve discovered themselves in numerous conditions.
Though Gardner-Johnson anticipated to play a couple of extra seasons in Philadelphia after signing a multi-year cope with the group final 12 months, the Eagles traded away the star security to the Houston Texans.
Gardner-Johnson first joined the Eagles forward of the 2022 NFL season. He was traded from the New Orleans Saints after his first three seasons within the NFL. Following a one-year run with the Eagles, Gardner-Johnson signed with the Detroit Lions in free company.
When Gardner-Johnson returned to the Eagles throughout the 2024 free company interval, he inked a three-year deal. After one season, the veteran security was traded to the Texans alongside a 2026 sixth-round decide in change for Kenyon Inexperienced and a 2025 fifth-round decide.
As for Slay, he hit the free company market with intentions of enjoying no less than yet another season. Whereas the opportunity of returning to the Eagles wasn’t dominated out, Slay finally signed a cope with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’ll play no less than yet another season with the Eagles’ Pennsylvania neighbor.
In the meantime, the Eagles will transfer on with their younger secondary, looking for a similar success they’d all through the 2024 season. Whereas Slay and Gardner-Johnson performed necessary roles within the Tremendous Bowl run, the group figures they will proceed to search out success with out them.
