Latest news with #CJGardnerJohnson
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles Bet on Breakout Potential of Kenyon Green and Azeez Ojulari
Eagles Bet on Breakout Potential of Kenyon Green and Azeez Ojulari originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles have made headlines with their offseason acquisitions of guard Kenyon Green and outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari. According to ESPN's Bill Barnwell in his latest breakout candidates analysis, both players are positioned to have career-defining seasons in 2025. Advertisement The Eagles acquired Green from the Houston Texans in exchange for safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, representing a classic change-of-scenery gamble. Green's NFL journey has been marked by adversity since being selected 15th overall in 2022. After struggling as a rookie, he missed all of 2023 with a shoulder injury and was benched in October 2024, allowing five sacks and 28 total pressures in 582 snaps. But Barnwell sees significant upside in Green's move to Philadelphia, writing that legendary offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland could unlock the former Texas A&M star's potential. The two-time consensus All-American will work under Stoutland, who transformed Mekhi Becton from struggling project to capable contributor. At 23, Green moves from Houston's struggling line to Philadelphia's dominant unit with minimal pressure, earning just $1.4 million in 2025. Meanwhile, the Eagles signed Ojulari to a one-year, $4 million deal after four seasons with division-rival New York. Despite injury concerns, Barnwell identifies Ojulari as a prime breakout candidate due to his talent and Philadelphia's system. The former Giants pass rusher set a franchise rookie record with eight sacks in 2021 but has battled injuries, playing only 29 of 51 games over his last three seasons. When healthy, he's been productive, with six sacks in 11 games in 2024. One compelling aspect of Ojulari's signing is his reunion with former Georgia teammates including Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith and Nakobe Dean. This familiarity could accelerate his integration into a defense that just won a Super Bowl. He'll serve as a situational pass rusher, escaping the shadow of Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns in New York. Despite his injury history, he was projected to earn $7.6 million per season, making his $4 million deal excellent value. Advertisement Both players represent classic low-risk, high-reward acquisitions that championship teams make. Barnwell's analysis highlights shrewd moves by general manager Howie Roseman — reclamation projects with first-round pedigree who could become significant contributors. For a team that won the Super Bowl with similar change-of-scenery success stories like Saquon Barkley and Zack Baun, Green and Ojulari represent the next wave of potential breakout stars in Philadelphia's remarkable ability to maximize talent through smart acquisitions. Related: Eagles' 'Exciting Whites' Turn Championship Buzz Into Chart-Topping Podcast Related: Isaiah Rodgers Pays Tribute to Eagles After Career Revival and Big Payday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
C.J. Gardner-Johnson claps back at Vic Fangio's comment that Eagles traded DB for salary cap reasons
Texans defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson took to social media Wednesday to respond to a comment his former coach and current Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio made regarding Philadelphia's decision to trade Gardner-Johnson to Houston. The Eagles received offensive guard Kenyon Green and a 2026 fifth-round selection in the exchange, while the Texans also added a 2026 sixth-round pick. When asked about the trade during OTAs on Tuesday, Fangio called it 'a salary cap thing.' Advertisement 'Howie (Roseman, Eagles GM) made that decision. I was fine with it,' he added. Gardner-Johnson reposted a graphic featuring the quote to his Instagram story and added text that read, 'Just don't do them young guys like y'all did me.' He also included a 100 emoji and a flexed bicep emoji. Gardner-Johnson had signed a three-year, $27 million deal with the Eagles in 2024 and put up solid numbers in Philadelphia's Super Bowl-winning season: Six interceptions with one returned for a touchdown, 12 pass breakups, one forced fumble and 59 tackles. But the 27-year-old also has a reputation for getting under other players' skin. In 2024, he was voted the most annoying player in The Athletic's anonymous NFL player poll after taking the title of 'biggest trash talker' in the 2023 poll. Before landing with the Texans, Gardner-Johnson made stops with three other teams. His longest was a three-year stint with the New Orleans Saints from 2019-2021. He played for the Eagles in 2022 and bounced back to Philadelphia in 2024 after a single season with the Detroit Lions sandwiched in between. He has 18 career interceptions, 51 pass breakups and 304 tackles. The Eagles and Texans do not meet in the regular season in 2025.
