Gardner-Johnson, Seumalo Leaving Philadelphia

The Eagles’ Free Agency wheel keeps turning tonight, as more players signed deals with other teams.

The biggest loss of Sunday was S CJ Gardner-Johnson, who agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $8 million with the Detroit Lions, according to NFL Insider Tom Pelissero.

This came after Gardner-Johnson tweeted and quickly deleted a tweet reading “The disrespect is real!” earlier this week.

It seemed at the outset of free agency that Gardner-Johnson’s extension would be a lock. He was one of the top defensive players in 2022-23, with a combined 67 tackles including 5 for a loss, one sack, and six interceptions during the regular season. Yet free agency can be brutal. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, the former Eagles’ safety was courted early in the free agency period with multi-year deals, but Gardner-Johnson wasn’t happy with the Eagles’ long-term offers and settled for a prove-it deal with the Lions.

On the offensive side of the ball, G Isaac Seumalo is moving west on the PA Turnpike and signing a three-year, $24 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Seumalo tweeted his goodby to Philly earlier today.

There is not expected to be a major hole on the offensive line after Seumalo departs. With the extension of Jason Kelce early in the free agency period and Seumalo’s departure, sophomore offensive lineman Cam Jurgens will play guard in the 2023 season. Jurgens is widely believed to be the heir apparent to the center position once Kelce retires. Kelce had allegedly suggested Jurgens replace him, leading to his selection with the 51st overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

With Gardner-Johnson departing, this creates a hole in the safety position. The Eagles will need to fill that hole, plus the hole created by Marcus Epps, also formerly an Eagles safety who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders earlier in the free agency period.