Allen Park, Mich. – The Detroit Lions announced today that they have signed unrestricted free agent DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Contract terms were not disclosed.
Gardner-Johnson comes to Detroit after spending the 2022 season with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he appeared in 12 games (12 starts) and had 67 tackles (61 solo), eight pass defenses, six interceptions, five tackles for loss and 1.0 sack. His six interceptions tied for the NFL lead.
He spent the first three seasons of his career with the New Orleans Saints after they selected him in the third round (105th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Florida. In 55-career games (43 starts), he has 224 tackles (179 solo), 36 pass defenses, 20 tackles for loss, 11 interceptions and 4.0 sacks.
View photos of new Detroit Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) in action during the second half of a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (91) celebrates with Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) after recovering a fumble by Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Jaguars 29-21. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) warms up before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) makes an interception against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) in action against New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) during an NFL divisional round playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) celebrates his interception with Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Avonte Maddox (29) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) is sacked by Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Philadelphia Eagles' C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) in action during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) intercepts a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) breaks up a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Richie James during the second half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in Philadelphia. The Eagles won 38-7. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) tackles Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) throws under pressure by Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) celebrates after defeating the New York Giants 38-7 in an NFL divisional round playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson reacts after a play against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles' C.J. Gardner-Johnson reacts during the NFC Championship NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles' C.J. Gardner-Johnson celebrates an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) runs after making an interception against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Philadelphia Eagles defensive back C.J. Gardner- Johnson (23) drops in coverage during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, September 19, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
