Even though CJ Gardner-Johnson is no longer playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, he still came to the defense of Jalen Hurts following retired NFL linebacker Lavonte David 's scathing remarks about the Eagles quarterback.
Gardner-Johnson urged the football community to put an end to the slander against Hurts.
Gardner-Johnson spent two seasons with the Philly-based club in two spells. In 2022, the Eagles acquired CJGJ and a seventh-round draft pick (2025) in a trade that saw the Eagles send a 2023 fifth-round pick and the lower of their two sixth-round picks (199th overall) in 2024.
The Eagles reached the Super Bowl that year with CJGJ racking up 67 combined tackles (a career high), 5 TFLs, 8 pass deflections, and a staggering 6 interceptions. Despite the numbers, the Eagles declined to extend his stay, and he subsequently signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions. His time in Detroit lasted through just six games.
After the season ended, he went back to Philly and reached the Super Bowl for the second time. On this occasion, the Eagles lifted the Lombardi Trophy. Gardner-Johnson's 59 combined tackles and 6 INTs played a big part in the Eagles' triumphant season.
Jalen Hurts led the Eagles as quarterback in both of their Super Bowl appearances, yet some football experts still don't view the 27-year-old as an elite signal-caller. It's not just the media, former players like Lavonte David shared the same perception of Hurts when they faced him in the past. CJ Gardner-Johnson pushed back on the claims by throwing his support behind his former teammate.
Why do this [to Jalen Hurts] …… like come on! People will continue to bash this man for what reason??? [There are] plenty other QB news we can talk about.
CJGJ tweetedDavid spent 13 years playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During that time, he faced the Eagles, including a close matchup in 2025. In a recent segment of Skip Bayless' The Arena Gridiron show, David discussed the Bucs' game plan for containing Hurts.
The Bucs never put together a specific game plan for the Pro Bowler because they were focused on stopping the run.
Jalen Hurts was never a guy who we worried about when we played the Eagles. Our game plan was always, they have a great offensive line, [and] you gotta stop the run.
David saidLast September, the Buccaneers traveled to Philadelphia for a thrilling game that came down to the final moments. Bucs QB Baker Mayfieldthrew for 289 yards, 2 touchdowns, and one interception, while Hurts had just 130 yards through the air and 2 touchdowns. In addition, Hurts rushed 9 times for 62 yards. The Eagles edged out the Bucs 31-25.
CJGJ's seventh year in the league was full of ups and downs. Before the season, the Eagles traded him to the Houston Texans, much to the disappointment of the 28-year-old. However, the Texans released him after just three appearances. A few days later, the Baltimore Ravens picked him up, where he lasted just one week. Eventually, he ended up in Chicago and reunited with his former Saints coach, Dennis Allen.
10 appearances, including 7 starts with the Bears, yielded 51 combined tackles, 3.0 sacks, and 2 interceptions. He was back on the free agency market once again shortly after the Bears lost in the divisional round playoff game.
That said, Gardner-Johnson has found a new team to call home. In March, the University of Florida graduate signed a one-year deal worth $6 million with the Buffalo Bills, according to Spotrac.
He will wear the number 22 for the Bills during the 2026 season. The Bills are his seventh team since joining the league as a fourth-round draft pick for the Saints.
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