C.J. Gardner-Johnson is happy to be back in Philadelphia. He’s happier to be out of Detroit.
The safety did not enjoy his one season with the Lions, saying “everybody” in the organization lied to him about his future there.
“It was hell,” Gardner-Johnson told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “I got lied to, so it was, whatever. I got told, respectfully, I was going to get brought back and didn’t get brought back. And offseason went real for me, signing back here, because I wasn’t really tripping on it. It all worked out.”
Gardner-Johnson left the Eagles in 2023 but didn’t receive the long-term deal he sought and instead signed a one-year deal with the Lions. It’s not the season he or the Lions envisioned.
Gardner-Johnson tore a pectoral muscle in Week 2. He returned in Week 18 and then played all three playoff games.
He calls his season in Detroit “successful” personally, but Gardner-Johnson has no fond memories of the 2023 season.
“Truthfully, like in Detroit it was hell,” Gardner-Johnson said. “I went there just to — OK, when I got hurt I was like, ‘Fuck it.’ Truthfully. That’s why I didn’t go rehab there.”
He spent most of his rehab in Florida and then left after the season to return to Philadelphia, happy to be out of Detroit and away from the Lions.
Here’s my full 2024 AP awards ballot–
By Mike Florio
We’re big on transparency in these parts, because the lack of it causes people to wonder what’s really going on behind the curtain.
Last year, I posted my full AP awards ballot, which went five deep at MVP and three for all other awards. My 2024 ballot, which now has five names for each award, appears below.
MVP
1. Lamar Jackson, Ravens.
2. Josh Allen, Bills (WINNER).
3. Saquon Barkley, Eagles.
4. Jared Goff, Lions.
5. Joe Burrow, Bengals.
COACH OF THE YEAR
1. Dan Campbell, Lions.
2. Kevin O’Connell, Vikings (WINNER).
3. Sean Payton, Broncos.
4. Andy Reid, Chiefs.
5. Dan Quinn, Commanders.
ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR
1. Ben Johnson, Lions (WINNER).
2. Brian Flores, Vikings.
3. Todd Monken, Ravens.
4. Joe Brady, Bills.
5. Aaron Glenn, Lions.
COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR
1. Joe Burrow, Bengals (WINNER).
2. Damar Hamlin, Bills.
3. Sam Darnold, Vikings.
4. J.K. Dobbins, Chargers.
5. Christian Gonzalez, Patriots.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
1. Pat Surtain II, Broncos (WINNER).
2. T.J. Watt, Steelers.
3. Myles Garrett, Browns.
4. Trey Hendrickson, Bengals.
5. Kerby Joseph, Lions.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
1. Saquon Barkley, Eagles (WINNER).
2. Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals.
3. Lamar Jackson, Bengals.
4. Joe Burrow, Bengals.
5. Derrick Henry, Ravens.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
1. Jared Verse, Rams (WINNER).
2. Braden Fiske, Rams.
3. Quinyon Mitchell, Eagles.
4. Cooper DeJean, Eagles.
5. Edgerrin Cooper, Packers.
OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
1. Jayden Daniels, Commanders (WINNER).
2. Brock Bowers, Raiders.
3. Bo Nix, Broncos.
4. Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars.
5. Malik Nabers, Giants.
Each of the 50 AP voters should do the same. If you’re going to accept the opportunity to have a voice in these awards, you have an obligation to let the world know how you used it.
