Former Detroit Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson is preparing to play in the Super Bowl this week, as his Philadelphia Eagles are set to square off against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
While addressing the media this week, Gardner-Johnson had some choice words for his former team. Of course, Gardner-Johnson signed with the Lions in free agency in 2023 but saw his regular season cut short due to a torn pectoral muscle.
He did manage to return late in the season and played during the playoffs but saw his role reduced, which he was none-too-pleased about.
“I got benched because Iffy (Melifonwu) took my spot. He had a good run and they thought — and he didn’t end up starting this year, which was crazy,” Gardner-Johnson said this week, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “You see where they’re at, you see where I’m at.”
Gardner-Johnson revealed that he chose not to rehab his pectoral injury in Detroit at the time because he didn’t envision a future with the team. He also said his stint with the Lions “was hell.”
“Truthfully, like in Detroit it was hell,” he said. “I went there just to — OK, when I got hurt I was like, ‘f*** it.’ Truthfully. That’s why I didn’t go rehab there.”
“I was on a one-year deal, so it was like there was no point unless they were really bringing me back,” Gardner-Johnson added. “By the time midseason came and I was getting healthy, they wasn’t trying to extend me, I’m like, ‘I’m cool.’”
The outspoken defensive back claims the team said it was going to bring him back before ultimately letting him walk in free agency.
“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,” Gardner-Johnson said. “And offseason went real for me, signing back here (in Philadelphia) because I wasn’t really tripping on it. It all worked out.”
“It was just certain people at front office that just, business is business,” he said when asked about who lied to him. “Whatever. I’m not upset.”
So, why did the Lions allegedly change their tune with bringing Gardner-Johnson back? He says it had to do with his playoff performance.
“I really felt like it was more so towards after the game they felt some way,” CJGJ said. “After like one missed tackle and a blown coverage that wasn’t on me. I guess I became the villain of the team.”
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