NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Philadelphia Eagles are making headlines this offseason thanks to the huge deal with RB Saquon Barkley. While that’s big, he is not the reason the Eagles should be giddy about the upcoming season. It’s what Howie Roseman did with a single defensive signing that will have the Eagles back atop the NFC standings in 2024.
No, they did not grab that All-Pro LB they were lacking. But what they did grab was the one player who can turn things around the moment he puts his jersey on. Bringing back C.J. Gardner-Johnson may just be the steal of the 2024 NFL Free Agency period.
Last season, the Philadelphia Eagles defense was atrocious but their secondary was on another level of awful. They finished the season ranked 5th in Passing Yards Allowed, 31st in Passing TDs Allowed, and managed just 9 INTs on the season. With Gardner-Johnson back, that should change. When he was with the Eagles in 2022, the Eagles rode that strong secondary to the Super Bowl.
Now, let’s make another point here. While Gardner-Johnson was the big move, it’s not just his play alone that makes this defense so much better. What his arrival provides is what the unit was lacking last year. They now have familiarity back in the secondary. Last season, James Bradberry and at times Darius Slay struggled in coverage. Some will point to age but it was more than that.
Slay and Bradberry didn’t have trust in either the young players or the deadline players Roseman added to the roster. Nor did they have the trust in the defensive scheme that followed. Now, they no longer have to look over their shoulders while in coverage and pray that those other players behind them are where they are supposed to be.
Is The Philadelphia Eagles Defense Back
Gardner-Johnson provides that security blanket for Bradberry and Slay. They also have Redd Blankenship coming back as well as young Syndey Brown and Kelee Ringo. This secondary is easily the most improved part of their team. What failed them last seaosn will not fail them again.
With an improved secondary, the plan is to allow the front 7 of the Philadelphia Eagles defense to do what they do best and that’s to attack the QB. If Vic Fangio can get this unit back on track, this defense has a chance to be ranked as one of the best in the NFL.
