The Detroit Lions have already parted ways with one safety, veteran Tracy Walker, this offseason. Dallas Robinson of the Pro Football Network anticipated that the Lions will also lose safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency.
On February 22, Robinson predicted Gardner-Johnson would sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“Steelers slot corner Chandon Sullivan is on track for free agency, while Pittsburgh might try to find a better second safety to play opposite Minkah Fitzpatrick this offseason,” Robinson noted in an email.
“Gardner-Johnson might compete for both spots and shouldn’t cost much after missing the majority of the 2023 season with a pectoral ailment. Another one-year contract in the $6-8 million area may make sense.”
Gardner-Johnson played in just three regular-season games for the Lions in 2023. He had a pectoral muscle injury in Week 2 and did not return until the regular season finale.
However, Gardner-Johnson continued to have an impact on the youthful Lions last season. Erik Schlitt, of SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit, described the 26-year-old as “boisterous” and “a leader.”
Despite previous accomplishments, Schlitt was unsure whether the experienced safety would be able to start for the Lions in 2024.
“While Gardner-Johnson is a positional versatile talent with Pro Bowl upside, the Lions don’t have a clear path to an open starting role at any of the positions he plays,” Schlitt said in a statement. “With the rise of Ifeatu Melifonwu and Kerby Joseph at safety and the emergence of Brian Branch in the slot, the Lions may prefer to keep their homegrown talent in high-contributing roles.”
C.J. Gardner-Johnson suggested that He did not like the rotational role.
The Lions clearly need more depth at cornerback and safety. However, as Schlitt pointed out, the Lions have returning starters in the positions where Gardner-Johnson provides versatility.
That means the Lions would have to outbid other teams in free agency to bring the 26-year-old back as a reserve.
Gardner-Johnson’s willingness to take on such a role is likewise unclear. He seems to hint following his return from injury that he was dissatisfied with not resuming his starting job from Week 1.
“I’m fine with it, but… how can I say this? I don’t want to seem selfish or (expletive), but I’m not coming back early to be in a rotation,” he told reporters, according to MLive.com’s Kory Woods. “But, as a team player, I’m doing what I can to get my body going. But I’ve been preparing for about a month.”
Projecting Gardner-Johnson’s Next Contract.
Gardner-Johnson was listed by Colton Pouncy of The Athletic as the team’s second-most valued free agent entering the offseason. Schlitt ranked Gardner-Johnson third on his list of the most important reasons to resign.
Schlitt ranked offensive guards Graham Glasgow and Jonah Jackson higher than Gardner-Johnson.
The Lions have $48 million in cap space this offseason. So, in theory, they could re-sign all three of their top free agents this summer.
Gardner-Johnson, like Robinson, is expected to sign a one-year contract worth $5.33 million next season.
However, re-signing the veteran safety, along with Glasgow and Jackson, is improbable. The Lions have a few players that might potentially sign new contracts, including quarterback Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Detroit might also want to upgrade at cornerback or edge rusher in free agency.
Gardner-Johnson, Jackson, and Glasgow will most certainly face salary cap constraints in Detroit.
Gardner-Johnson may be an upgrade for the Lions, given his limited playing time last season. However, with no obvious place to start, it is far from certain that he will return to Detroit.
