C.J. Gardner-Johnson Slams Detroit Lions: ‘I Got Lied To’ About 2024 Return
C.J. Gardner-Johnson didn’t hold back when reflecting on his one-year stint with the Detroit Lions, which he described as “hell.” Now with the Super Bowl-bound Philadelphia Eagles, the veteran safety revealed his frustration with both the team and its management, particularly regarding his rehab process and the team’s decision not to re-sign him for the 2024 season.
Gardner-Johnson’s time in Detroit was marred by injury, as he suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 2. However, the safety’s disappointment with the team was brewing long before that. He was upset with the Lions’ handling of his recovery, choosing to rehab away from Detroit instead of utilizing the team’s resources.
“Truthfully, like in Detroit, it was hell,” Gardner-Johnson told the Detroit Free Press. “When I got hurt, I was like, ‘(Expletive) it.’ That’s why I didn’t go rehab there.”
His frustrations didn’t end with the injury. When Gardner-Johnson finally returned to action, he found his role diminished, with Brian Branch and Ifeatu Melifonwu filling in at positions he had expected to play. His benching, he claims, came because Melifonwu took his spot—something he felt was unfair, especially since Melifonwu didn’t end up starting in 2024 due to his own injury issues.
“I got benched because Iffy took my spot,” Gardner-Johnson said. “He had a good run, and they thought… and he didn’t end up starting this year, which was crazy.”
What truly seemed to sting Gardner-Johnson, however, was the broken promises from the Lions’ front office. According to the safety, the team told him they would bring him back for the 2024 season, but ultimately went in a different direction when free agency arrived. Gardner-Johnson was blunt in expressing his frustration with how the team handled his departure.
“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,” he said. “Offseason went real for me, signing back here because I wasn’t really tripping on it. It all worked out.”
The former Lion speculated that the team’s decision to move on from him had more to do with his performance in the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers, where he had one missed tackle and a blown coverage, which he felt wasn’t entirely his fault.
“I really felt like it was more so after the game they felt some way,” he continued. “After like one missed tackle and a blown coverage that wasn’t on me. I guess I became the villain of the team.”
Gardner-Johnson’s critiques of the Lions organization may raise eyebrows, but one thing is certain: his decision to leave the team and join a Super Bowl contender in the Eagles has proven to be the right move for him. Meanwhile, Detroit’s offseason decisions continue to be scrutinized by both fans and analysts alike. For now, Gardner-Johnson will be watching from the sidelines as his Eagles prepare for Super Bowl LVIII, a far cry from the disappointment he felt with the Lions.
As for the Detroit Lions, they’re left to reflect on the departures of key players like Gardner-Johnson, who was once a prized addition to their defense, but whose brief time in the Motor City was filled with tension and unmet expectations.
‘I Got Lied To’: C.J. Gardner-Johnson Explains His Beef with the Lions
