Ex-Defensive back for the Lions apologizes to Philadelphia supporters after returning home
Gardner-Johnson said he couldn’t “(expletive) stand the (expletives)” and that the “(expletive) obnoxious” people in Philadelphia were his least favorite thing about the city while playing some video games on Twitch over the offseason. However, it was prudent of him to attempt to mend those bridges almost as soon as word leaked out that he had secured the long-term contract he was seeking in Philadelphia. Gardner-Johnson stated this on the app that was formerly known as Twitter.
“I apologize to the Philadelphia fans, but this is a wonderful place, and we shared some experiences here! Go grab us one, please. It should come as no surprise that the majority of responses were positive, given how much 2023 missed Gardner-Johnson’s playmaking abilities. “Family sometimes fights,” one person said in response, while others admitted to “acting out” and “We’re toxic dawgs, but it’s all love.” In this city, you are a legend.
The one season Gardner-Johnson spent in Detroit wasn’t what he had hoped for. He missed the entire season after sustaining a torn pectoral in Week 2. That day, Gardner-Johnson successfully intercepted one pass, and he added another during the team’s divisional-round victory over the Tampa Bay Bucs.
He demonstrated the ball-hawking abilities that have kept his worth high even after a contentious offseason and a season marred by injuries. The 26-year-old’s only 2022 season with the Eagles was considerably more successful. He moved to safety and, as a vital component of Philly’s defense, led the NFL with six interceptions on the way to the Super Bowl.
The Lions have Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu after releasing Tracy Walker and allowing Gardner-Johnson to walk. They’ll probably add one or two more players to that room in the next NFL draft or through free agency.
This week, “Dominant” DT D.J. Reader will visit the Detroit Lions during free agency.
One of the premier run-stopping defensive tackles in the NFL will be visiting the Detroit Lions as a free agency. The Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle D.J. Reader will be hosted by the Lions on Thursday, according to late-Tuesday reports from the NFL Network and Bleacher Report.
Reader, who will turn 30 in July, completed the previous season on injured reserve due to a strained right quadriceps tendon. He recorded 34 tackles and one sack. Due to a ruptured left quad, Reader missed the majority of the 2020 season. Due to a knee injury, he missed six games in 2022.
On Monday, the Lions signed edge rusher Marcus Davenport to a one-year contract, giving them depth on the defensive line ahead of the 2019 NFL Draft.
To go with Alim McNeill, the Lions are searching for another interior lineman. Last season, they fielded one of the finest run-stopping teams in the NFL. Benito Jones, a nose tackle, will be unrestricted free agent at 4 p.m. on Wednesday unless the Lions extend an offer to him. Last season, Brodric Martin and Levi Onwuzurike had little parts as backups.
Reader was a two-time captain for the Cincinnati Bengals and was selected by defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo as the team’s most dependable defensive player after the Bengals were drawn by the Houston Texans in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Cincinnati Bengals Talk: “D.J. is a hard guy to replace,” Anarumo said to Cincinnati media during the NFL combine. “Hopefully we don’t have to, but he’s a fantastic guy in the locker room to begin with, and he simply does a great job controlling blocks within the defense.
Many things exist that people are blind to. In that position, you can’t look at D.J. Reader and say, “Let me take a look at his numbers.” He is simply unstoppable when it comes to taking on blocks, facing double teams, and staying put, despite having decent stats for the position. And without that, further problems arise because it prevents others from creating plays.”