Free Agency Day 2: CJ Gardner-Johnson Returns, Eagles Get Depth on Offensive Line

The Eagles’ second day of the legal tampering period was less eventful than the first day, but it wasn’t without some moves.

The Eagles agreed to terms with former Safety CJ Gardner-Johnson for a three-year deal reportedly worth $33 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday evening.

Gardner-Johnson, who spent the 2023 season with the Detroit Lions, gambled on the free agency market last offseason after he was reportedly too far separated from what the Eagles would pay him. The Eagles declined to use the franchise tag on him, and Gardner-Johnson went to the free agency market. He would ultimately sign a one-year deal with the Lions after being unable to get a multi-year deal.

The deal brings stability to the safety position after the Eagles were severely lacking in the backfield last season. The Eagles were reportedly in talks for former Giants Safety Xavier McKinney, but he went to the Green Bay Packers on a four year, $68 million deal.

Earlier in the day, the Eagles also agreed to terms with OL Matt Hennessy, who comes to the Eagles from the Falcons, according to Zach Berman of All PHLY. Hennessy agreed to a one-year deal with the team.

Hennessy was sidelined by injury during the 2023 season but was supposed to start at center. A Temple grad, Hennessy also has experience at guard and could be a good Swiss army knife for the team’s offensive line.

The team also snagged a wide receiver. Former Patriots Wide Receiver DeVante Parker came to terms with the team for a one-year, $4.69 million contract. The Eagles will only be on the hook for $1.2 million of that, while the rest will be picked up by the Patriots. The Eagles reportedly jumped on Parker as soon as the news broke that the Patriots were releasing the 31 year old receiver, and they bring in a player who has 402 catches for 5,660 yards with the Miami Dolphins and the Patriots.

With these pickups, the Eagles have plugged many of the holes on offense and shored up their defensive plan. The Eagles still have plenty of opportunity in the defensive backfield, but with the draft coming up, this may be an area where Howie looks for high-impact draft prospects.

The Eagles entered free agency with over $42 million in cap space, according to OverTheCap.com, and still have some room if they want to make another move.

The Eagles also saw some departures today. Quarterback Marcus Mariota signed a one-year deal with the Washington Commanders that’s worth $6 million, according to Adam Schefter. The former Eagles backup quarterback has a chance to be a starter in the Commanders offense, contingent on whether the team trades Sam Howell or moves on from Jacoby Brissett.

The Eagles also got thinner at linebacker. Former Eagles Linebacker Nicholas Morrow signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills. Morrow wore the green dot helmet, which allows for radio communication to the sideline, for the defense for much of the year after the original player slated for that, Nakobe Dean, dealt with injury for much of the 2023 season.

The Eagles also confirmed they extended LS Rick Lovato and P Braden Mann on one- and two-year deals, respectively.