The New Orleans Saints recently made headlines when they traded safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Chicago Bears. Many people have been left wondering why the Saints chose to trade away a player who had been a key part of their defense for the last two seasons.
We’ll explore why the Saints decided to trade Gardner-Johnson and what it could mean for the team going forward.
Why Did the Saints Trade Cj Gardner-johnson?
The New Orleans Saints recently made headlines when they traded safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Chicago Bears for a 2021 fourth round draft pick. This move came as a surprise to many, as Gardner-Johnson had become an integral part of the Saints’ defense in his two seasons with the team.
We will discuss why the Saints made this move and what it indicates about their future plans.
Breakdown in Contract Extension Negotiations
The main reason why the Saints traded Gardner-Johnson was due to the breakdown in contract extension negotiations. Both parties were unable to come to an agreement on a long-term deal, leaving the Saints with no other option but to trade him away.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the contract talks broke down during the offseason, leaving the Saints in a difficult position.
Financial Considerations
The Saints’ decision to trade Gardner-Johnson was also likely influenced by financial considerations. With the salary cap expected to remain flat in 2021, the Saints had to make some difficult decisions regarding their roster.
By trading Gardner-Johnson, the Saints freed up some additional cap space which can be used to retain some of their key players or sign free agents.
Depth at Safety
The Saints also have plenty of depth at the safety position, which made trading Gardner-Johnson a more palatable option. The team currently has Malcolm Jenkins, Marcus Williams, and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson as their starting safeties, all of whom are capable of playing at a high level.
In addition, the Saints also have two other safeties on their roster in D.J. Swearinger and J.T. Gray, who can provide depth and special teams assistance when needed.
Looking Ahead
The trade of Gardner-Johnson could indicate that the Saints are looking to add more pieces to their defense in the upcoming draft. With their newfound cap space, the Saints may look to invest in some young defensive talent that can help bolster their already strong defense.
Additionally, the team may also look to add more depth at the safety position in free agency, as the current group is not getting any younger.
Overall, the Saints’ decision to trade C.J. Gardner-Johnson was likely a difficult one for the organization. However, with the breakdown in contract talks and the financial situation, it appears that the Saints had no other choice but to move on from the safety.
With the additional cap space and draft picks, the Saints now have the opportunity to add some quality defensive pieces that can help them continue their winning ways in 2021.
Why Did New Orleans Trade Chauncey Gardner-johnson?
New Orleans decided to trade Chauncey Gardner-Johnson due to the breakdown of contract extension talks. There was no agreement between the two parties, so the Saints looked for other options. They wanted to take advantage of his value while they still could.
GM Mickey Loomis felt the trade was the best decision for the team. The Saints received a fourth-round pick in return for Gardner-Johnson. This allowed them to invest in other areas of the team. They felt they had enough depth at the safety position.
Loomis believed they had enough talent to make up for the loss of Gardner-Johnson’s production. The trade allowed New Orleans to acquire more capital and open up salary cap space. The move will help the Saints in the long run, as they now have the resources to build a stronger team.
Who Did the Saints Trade Chauncey Gardner-johnson for?
Trade Overview
The Saints traded Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to the Eagles for a 2023 fifth-round draft pick and the latter of their two sixth-round draft picks in 2024. This move came as a surprise to many as Gardner-Johnson was expected to play a major role in the Saints’ defense this season.
Chauncey Gardner-johnson
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson was drafted by the Saints in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He has quickly become one of the most important players on the defense, earning a starting role as a cornerback and safety.
He has started in all 16 games in each of the past two seasons and has recorded seven interceptions, 18 passes defended, three forced fumbles, and two sacks.
Eagles’ Perspective
The Eagles were looking to bolster their secondary with an experienced player who can start right away. They believe Gardner-Johnson is the perfect fit, as he is a versatile player who can play both cornerback and safety.
In addition, he is a proven playmaker who has already made an impact in the NFL.
Saints’ Perspective
The Saints felt they could get more value out of trading Gardner-Johnson than keeping him. They were also looking to free up cap space and this trade will do just that. They also received a fifth-round and a sixth-round draft pick in return, which could be used to fill other needs.
Impact of the Trade
The impact of this trade could be felt for years to come. The Eagles are hoping that Gardner-Johnson can help solidify their secondary and make an immediate impact. On the other hand, the Saints are hoping that the draft picks they received can help them fill other needs and build for the future.
What Did the Saints Get in the Trade With the Eagles?
The Trade
The Eagles traded two of their three first-round draft picks to the Saints on Monday, giving up the No. 16 overall pick and No. 19 overall pick in the 2022 draft, along with a sixth-round pick in the 2022 draft.
In return, the Saints received a haul of three picks, two of which are first-rounders.
The Future Impact
The Saints have now secured two first-round picks in both the 2022 and 2023 drafts. This gives the Saints the opportunity to build a strong core of young players over the next few years. Additionally, the picks could be used to trade up in the draft or to acquire a veteran player in a trade.
The Eagles’ Perspective
Despite giving up two first-round picks, the Eagles still have the No. 12 overall pick in the 2022 draft and two first-rounders in the 2023 draft. This gives them flexibility to address some of their needs in the upcoming drafts and to acquire additional picks with which to build their roster.
The Saints’ Perspective
The Saints now have two first-round picks in both the 2022 and 2023 drafts. This gives them the opportunity to acquire young talent, either through the draft or in trades. The picks also give the Saints the ability to trade up in the draft if they feel they need to get a specific player.
The Final Analysis
The Saints have bolstered their ability to acquire young talent with this trade. They now have two first-round picks in both the 2022 and 2023 drafts, giving them the opportunity to build a strong core of young players over the next few years.
The Eagles still have the No. 12 overall selection in the 2022 draft, giving them flexibility to address their needs in the upcoming drafts.
Why Do the Eagles Have the Saints 1st Round Pick?
The Eagles acquired the Saints’ 2023 first-round pick in April through a blockbuster trade. This was an unusual move, as it is rare for a team in the Eagles’ position to have such an incentive. The Saints presumably did not anticipate the pick would be so high.
The pick was traded for a package of draft picks and players. The Eagles received the Saints’ first-round pick, two fourth-round picks and two sixth-round picks. In addition, the Eagles also received two players: running back Dwayne Washington and defensive end Marcus Davenport.
The Eagles were looking to bolster their offensive and defensive lines, which is why they made the trade. The Saints, on the other hand, were looking for a long-term solution at quarterback, which is why they made the trade.
The Eagles hope to use the pick to acquire a player that can help them improve their team for years to come. By winning games, the Eagles will be able to secure a top-10 pick in the draft and get the most out of the trade.
What Did the Giants Get for Trading Back?
The Giants received Kansas City’s compensatory third-round pick and the team’s original sixth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. The third rounder was a compensatory choice the Chiefs got after the Bears hired Ryan Poles as their general manager.
The Giants got a third-round compensatory pick and their own sixth-round pick in 2023. The compensatory pick came from Kansas City after Chicago hired Ryan Poles. The Giants gained a third-round pick and their own sixth-round pick in 2023.
The third-round pick was a compensatory selection from Kansas City due to Chicago hiring Ryan Poles. The Giants received a third-round compensatory pick and their own sixth-round pick for 2023. The third-round pick was a compensatory pick from the Chiefs because of Chicago hiring Ryan Poles.
In exchange for trading back, the Giants were given a third-round compensatory pick from Kansas City and their own sixth-round pick for 2023. The third-round pick was a result of the Bears hiring Ryan Poles, which gave the Chiefs a compensatory pick for the Giants to receive.
To Recap
Ultimately, the Saints decided to trade C.J. Gardner-Johnson due to their inability to agree on a contract extension with him. Though the Saints may have lost a valuable player, they could benefit from the long-term financial flexibility that the trade has provided them.
Whatever the future holds for the Saints, they will undoubtedly be hoping that the move pays off in the long run.
