In a much-anticipated return to the Mercedes-Benz SuperDome, C.J. Gardner-Johnson made headlines not only for his performance on the field but also for his candid post-game comments. The Philadelphia Eagles emerged victorious with a close 15-12 win over the New Orleans Saints, marking Gardner-Johnson's first game back in New Orleans since being traded two years ago.
A Triumphant Return
Gardner-Johnson, now an integral part of the Eagles' defense, did not hide his feelings about his former team. Facing a Saints offense that was touted as the league's best, the Eagles' defensive unit delivered a standout performance, stifling the Saints and leading to a frustrating day for their quarterback, Derek Carr. Gardner-Johnson's critique of Carr was blunt: "They ain't no contenders, they're pretenders. They got Derek Carr, remember that." He added, "We knew he [Carr] was gonna give us one all day."
A Defensive Showcase
The victory was a testament to Philadelphia's defensive prowess. Gardner-Johnson praised his teammates, saying, "We got the best defensive line, best secondary, best front seven in the league right now. And I’m popping it. I'm popping it because at the end of the day y'all said we was down and out last week. Now look at ya now."
The Saints, despite having the top-ranked offense going into the game, struggled significantly. Gardner-Johnson questioned the early enthusiasm surrounding their ranking: "Top what? It (was) only Week 2. How can you be the best offense, best team, (in) only two weeks played? We still got 16 weeks to go. At the end of the day, we just gotta tune out the noise, understand who we were, and go out there and play good ball. That's what happened."
Key Moments and Controversy
The game was not without its contentious moments. Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith was concussed following a hit by Saints defensive tackle Khristian Boyd. Gardner-Johnson did not mince words when addressing the incident: "Man, that's the dirtiest shit I ever saw in football, bro. Y'all saw forward progress was stopped. If you're gonna take a cheap shot at one of our key players, it shows you what type of team that is. They're front-runners. That ain't got nowhere in football."
Team Unity and Resolve
Gardner-Johnson highlighted the collective effort that led to the team's victory. "At the end of the day my team did this one. It wasn't me. Our team came together. A couple guys went down, a couple guys spoke up, and a couple guys understood the task at hand," he said, emphasizing the unity and resilience within the Eagles' squad.
Personal Sentiments
The victory held personal significance for Gardner-Johnson, who admitted that his trade from the Saints remained a sore spot. "We keep receipts. I told y'all in the locker room. See y'all Sunday. I told y'all the day before. They got rid of me. I ain't getting rid of them. It's still in me. It's still tatted on me." His words highlighted the lingering emotions tied to his departure from New Orleans and the motivation it provided.
As the season progresses, Gardner-Johnson and the Eagles will look to build on their defensive success and strive for consistency. For Gardner-Johnson, this victory was more than just another win; it was a statement to his former team and the league about his and his new team's capabilities.