2024 Detroit Lions free agent profile: The case for, against re-signing C.J. Gardner-Johnson

Having missed a significant amount of time due to injury in 2023, C.J. Gardner-Johnson may find himself in a similar position this offseason.

The Detroit Lions have 32 total players from their 2023 roster who are set to become free agents in 2024 (20 unrestricted, 6 restricted, 6 exclusive-rights), and we are reviewing their what their expectations were coming into the 2023 season, how they performed, and ultimately their chances of returning to Detroit in 2024.

After leading the NFL in interceptions with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022, Gardner-Johnson arrived in Detroit with lofty expectations.

Unfortunately for Gardner-Johnson, he missed significant amounts of time in both 2021 and 2022 due to injury, causing teams to think twice before signing him to a long-term contract. Because of the reluctancy around the league from other teams, this gave Brad Holmes the chance to swoop in and bring Gardner-Johnson to the Motor City on somewhat of a prove-it deal.

Having spent his first three seasons in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints, both Lions’ coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn were very familiar with Gardner-Johnson’s game.

On top of his boisterous personality, Gardner-Johnson is a certified playmaker on the defensive side of the ball. Combine those traits with his willingness to play near the line of scrimmage and deliver punishing hits to opposing ball carriers, and you begin to understand why there was so much excitement when Lions’ general manager Brad Holmes was able to sign Gardner-Johnson to a one-year deal in Detroit.