C. J. Gardner-Johnson is an American football safety for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round (105th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Gardner-Johnson participated in all 13 games as a true freshman at Florida, starting the final three contests of the season. Gardner-Johnson was voted the Outback Bowl MVP in 2017 after recording two tackles and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a score.
Gardner-Johnson started all 11 of his games as a sophomore. Chauncey-Gardner was switched to the nickleback position prior to his junior season. Gardner-Johnson declared on November 26, 2018, that he would forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2019 NFL Draft.
The New Orleans Saints selected Gardner-Johnson in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft (105th overall).
Matt Ryan’s ball was intercepted by Gardner-Johnson in a Week 13 game against the Atlanta Falcons on Thanksgiving Day, resulting in a 26-18 victory. During the 38-28 victory in Week 16 over the Tennessee Titans, Gardner-Johnson made 8 tackles and forced a fumble on wide receiver Kalif Raymond, which he then recovered.
Gardner-Johnson was struck by teammate Michael Thomas on October 11, 2020, when they were practising. Thomas was consequently benched for the contest that week.
In a 26-23 victory over the Chicago Bears on November 1, 2020, wide receiver Javon Wims of the Bears punched Gardner-Johnson in the face, which sparked an altercation between the two teams in the third quarter.
Gardner-Johnson had his back turned when Wims ran up and hit him in the helmet. Wims punched Gerald once more when he didn’t respond.
A previous broadcast displayed Gardner-Johnson ripping Wims’ mouthguard off when Wims was not looking. No evidence was found to back up Wims’ claim that Gardner-Johnson spat on him. Gardner-Johnson later denied doing so.
The incident resulted in Wims being ejected from the game and suspended for two games the following day by the NFL. Gardner-Johnson was also fined $5,128 for his interactions with Wims.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson Contract, Salary and Net Worth
With the New Orleans Saints, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson agreed to a four-year, $3,304,100 deal that also included a $784,100 signing bonus, $784,100 in guarantees, and an average annual salary of $826,025. Gardner-Johnson will have a $2,540,000 basic salary and a $2,540,000 cap hit in 2022. His total net worth is presently unavailable on database.