Eagles' Darius Slay on former Saint CJ Gardner-Johnson vs. his former team: 'He has a huge grudge'
PHILADELPHIA — CJ Gardner-Johnson doesn't care what other people think of him. Following his own example, Gardner-Johnson goes about his business while paying attention to his surroundings.
While Gardner-Johnson won't say whether Sunday's matchup against the New Orleans Saints is on the calendar, he isn't losing any sleep over the thought of facing the team that first drafted him.
Gardner-Johnson was traded from the Saints to the Philadelphia Eagles days before final roster cuts for the 2022 season, which saw the Saints miss the playoffs and the Eagles go to the Super BowlThe Saints and Gardner-Johnson They certainly had their differences.Although it was not revealed why Gardner-Johnson fell out of favor in New Orleans.
While the Gardner-Johnson saga has been kept under wraps, Darius Slay knows Sunday's return to the Mercedes-Benz SuperDome is personal for Gardner-Johnson. After all, the Saints drafted him.
“That's all,” Slay said Thursday. “I know it's part of the business. There's a business aspect. But when you get drafted somewhere, everyone's goal is to finish their career where they got drafted.”
“Before I became an Eagle, I always wanted to be a Lion, too (Slay was drafted by the Detroit Lions).”
Slay and Detroit parted on better terms than Gardner-Johnson and New Orleans, which should give Gardner-Johnson an added boost.
“I have no hard feelings with the Lions, but (CJGJ) could have a lot of bad feelings with (the Saints),” Slay said. “I know he's going to play with a lot of bad feelings. I went to Detroit with a little bit of a bad feeling, too, but there's nothing negative about it.”
While Gardner-Johnson may be looking forward to Sunday's matchup with the Saints, he won't get carried away by the moment. Not even Slay needs to say any more words.
“I know Chauncey is ready. That's the type of character he is, he likes to prove people wrong,” Slay said. “He's had an unbelievable year. I hope he continues to do his thing.”
