Report: Broncos 'Interested' In Eagles S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
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One of the Denver Broncos' roster needs flying under the radar this offseason is the safety position. While the Broncos boast an All-Pro at one spot, the other starting role has been vacated by Kareem Jackson.
It's possible the Broncos ultimately bring Jackson back, but more likely, the team will either look internally or off the roster to plug that hole next to All-Pro Justin Simmons.
Enter C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who ESPN endorsed as a 'must-sign' player for Denver in the weeks leading up to free agency. On the heels of a Super Bowl berth, the Philadelphia Eagles are learning that it's not easy to keep every free agent, and it's been no different for Gardner-Johnson, though he's languished on the market since the NFL's 'legal tampering' window opened on Monday.
However, the rumor mill has hotly linked Gardner-Johnson to the Broncos since Monday. Long-time NFL insider Aaron Wilson reported on Twitter Wednesday afternoon that the Broncos are interested in the former Eagles' safety.
"Broncos among the teams with interest in Eagles free agent C.J. Gardner Johnson, per a league source," Wilson tweeted.
Gardner-Johnson would be quite the get for Denver, especially in the wake of the $200 million (or so) in new contracts the team has handed out. In just 12 games last season, he nabbed six interceptions, tying Simmons for the single-season league lead.
It also just so happens that Gardner-Johnson was drafted in the fourth round by Sean Payton's New Orleans Saints back in 2019. The Saints traded the Florida product following the 2021 season to Philadelphia, where he went on to produce some eye-popping numbers.
Payton might want his safety back. And if the rumors are true that Gardner-Johnson has been following various Broncos players and personnel on social media, it could be a harbinger of a deal being consummated in the not-too-distant future.
Internally, the Broncos have one good option under contract in Caden Sterns, but he missed most of last season with a severe hip injury. Stay tuned.
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