Lions News

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It wasn’t the last time they’d cross paths. Not in the slightest.


That interaction years ago paved the way for a reunion between Glenn and Gardner-Johnson years later, with the Detroit Lions. Glenn is beginning his third season as defensive coordinator, and Sunday, the Lions and Gardner-Johnson agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $8 million.



Now the two will get back to work together, hoping to help propel this franchise to sustained success.




The Opening was just the first taste of national exposure for Gardner-Johnson. He was destined for more, thanks to his natural ability and a competitive mindset you don’t typically see in young players.



It helped Gardner-Johnson become a top 50 prospect in the class of 2016. He held offers from Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Ohio State, among others, but the Cocoa, Fla., native chose to stay in-state and attend the University of Florida.



In Gainesville, Gardner-Johnson developed into a standout defensive back, though it didn’t happen overnight. He arrived on campus wide-eyed and ready to play under the lights, expecting to start on Day 1. But this wasn’t high school anymore. Florida taught him patience. It also taught him about process. That’s a lesson that would stay with him.



“I ain’t really play my freshman year,” Gardner-Johnson said. “But it was all a mental thing. I’d say sophomore year, I understood, like, you gotta study this stuff, you gotta look at your plays, you gotta study your film. That’s when it kicked in.”



Gardner-Johnson went to work and put in the effort to earn playing time. He received more and more as his freshman year progressed, ultimately earning Outback Bowl MVP honors after securing two interceptions in a dominant 30-3 win over Iowa. He started nearly every game of his final two seasons at Florida, catching the eye of NFL scouts in the process as a ball-hawking defensive back with positional versatility. It made for a difficult decision at the end of his junior year. But Gardner-Johnson, confident in his ability, bet on himself and declared for the 2019 NFL Draft.


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During the pre-draft process, Gardner-Johnson met with all 32 teams. Many of them focused on his colorful personality. It showed up on film. Some coaches questioned his character because of it. They liked the talent but not the total package. He didn’t understand why. Because he chirped? Because he was confident in himself? Isn’t that what you should want in a defensive back?



For Glenn, it was. By this time, he had moved on from the Browns, joining Sean Payton’s New Orleans Saints staff as secondary coach. Glenn has a philosophy when it comes to scouting cornerbacks. Get one in a room with him and he’ll be able to tell within five minutes exactly how that player is wired and whether he has what it takes to be a dude in this league. When Gardner-Johnson spoke with the Saints before the draft, his meeting was run by Glenn and then-defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Gardner-Johnson was peppered with questions from Glenn. When the meeting was over, Gardner-Johnson had an idea of what Glenn thought of him at the time.



“A flashy, still this arrogant, little motherf—er who’s coming in here thinking he know everything,” Gardner-Johnson said, laughing.



Turns out, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Glenn saw potential.



“Man, just the personality,” Glenn said. “You watch him on tape, you see the fire, the passion, the love for the game, that intrigues me about anybody. The technical stuff, I can help you with. I can teach that. But some of the stuff, that’s just self-ingrained, it’s just in you, that’s just who you are. I always say you want a dog to bite when he come out the womb. You don’t want to teach him to bite. He bit when he came out the womb.”



Those questions with Glenn during that pre-draft meeting focused more on situational defensive concepts and installs, and less about his character, which is how other teams used their time with him. Glenn already knew what he was getting in terms of personality and was ready to embrace it. Once the football IQ checked out, he saw all he needed to see. Glenn had a first-round grade on Gardner-Johnson. The only question was whether he’d have a chance to get him.



As the draft unfolded, Gardner-Johnson expected to go within the first two rounds. That’s what he felt his tape suggested. So he sat around, waiting, waiting and waiting some more for that call from an NFL franchise that would change his life. But by the end of the third round, it hadn’t come.


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“I was shocked,” Gardner-Johnson said. “That s— didn’t go how I planned. … I was crying. Like, I don’t even care about the draft no more.”


The Saints didn’t have a first- or third-round pick that year, opting to trade them away in deals that netted them Marcus Davenport and Teddy Bridgewater. New Orleans traded up to select center Erik McCoy in the second round that year, and its next selection wouldn’t come until the fourth.



The whole time, though, Glenn was fixated on Gardner-Johnson. He had previously told the Florida product that if things worked out the way he wanted them to, Gardner-Johnson would be a Saint. The end of the third round came and went, and Glenn continued to monitor things. The Saints’ next pick? No. 116 in the fourth. Glenn knew the franchise couldn’t leave things to chance with a talent like Gardner-Johnson still available. So he texted head coach Sean Payton with a request.



“Coach, man, he’s dropping,” Glenn texted Payton. “This is a guy that I love. I don’t like this guy. I love this guy.”


“You really love this guy?” Payton replied, gauging interest before the Saints contemplated a trade-up despite minimal draft capital.

“I really love this guy,” Glenn said.


That’s all it took — perhaps a sign of Payton’s trust in Glenn. The Saints packaged No. 116 in the fourth and No. 168 in the fifth to the Jets in exchange for pick No. 105. Payton informed Glenn that New Orleans was moving up to get his guy. Saints GM Mickey Loomis and Payton picked up the phone to call their latest selection. But right before that, Gardner-Johnson — emotionally drained by his fall and no longer interested in waiting around by the TV — received a text from Glenn that made it all worth it.




“We’re about to pull the trigger on you.”



In so many ways, New Orleans was the perfect landing spot for Gardner-Johnson. Paired with a coach who valued him for who he was, entering an established locker room with vets who were willing to show him the ropes, Gardner-Johnson found himself in a place he could thrive.




The Saints were a playoff team and a contender in the NFC. Their culture was set. New Orleans had a locker room that often policed itself. There were ways to weed out bad aura or get guys to conform. Not only did Gardner-Johnson fit like a glove defensively, but the older guys embraced him. Any concerns teams had before the draft never showed up — in part, because he approached everything the right way.



“Guys like Demario Davis, guys like Cameron Jordan, they were like, ‘This is the way we play,'” Glenn recalled. “They did a really good job of embracing him, embracing his mentality, his personality. And man, he did a really good job of accepting it and understanding that, ‘Listen, these are the big dogs here. I’m just gonna fall in line.’ He will do that.”



Gardner-Johnson listened to his vets, guys like Malcolm Jenkins and Jordan, who showed him how things were done and how to make it in this league. It helped that he was coachable and eager to learn. As a rookie, Gardner-Johnson earned the trust of the Saints’ defensive staff, eventually working his way into the starting lineup. But even as he began his ascent, Glenn, in particular, would harp on all the little things and critique his every move.


Gardner-Johnson didn’t understand it. Until he did.


“I was just taking hard criticism every day once I became a starter,” he said. “I didn’t understand why until I caught my first interception. Then I’m like, ‘That’s why I caught a pick. This is why he was on me.’ The way he coaches is the way you want to be coached. Truthfully.”

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The respect, in so many ways, was mutual. Perhaps Glenn saw a bit of himself in Gardner-Johnson. The parallels are easy to see. They’re both talented defensive backs who’ve never once apologized for being themselves and don’t intend to start now. It’s gotten them this far in their respective careers. Why mess with a good thing?



Those days in New Orleans birthed a father-son type of relationship between the two. Glenn coined Gardner-Johnson’s nickname, “Deucey,” in New Orleans because of the No. 22 jersey he wore. All the extra attention was part of the process of turning talent into production. He wanted the best for Gardner-Johnson. Gardner-Johnson recognized that, and didn’t want to let Glenn down. And he didn’t.



Gardner-Johnson would go on to start seven games as a rookie, quickly earning his place on a defense that ranked 11th in yards per game allowed. The following year, he emerged as a full-time starter on a unit that was even better. He was the nickel on a top-five defense in yards and points per game. You could line up in the slot, move him to safety, have him blitz off the edge and cover tight ends. He plays with effort and an energy that’s infectious. The perfect chess piece in Glenn’s secondary.



Around that same time, however, Glenn had developed into a respected coaching mind. It was only a matter of time before his next challenge — leading a defense of his own — became a reality. He knew as early as 2019 that his opportunity was coming. That was Gardner-Johnson’s rookie season. Even then, Glenn was already plotting a reunion.



“By the time I get you again,” Glenn told Gardner-Johnson, “… you’re gonna be exactly where I need you to be.”





In January 2021, the Lions hired Dan Campbell, tight ends coach in New Orleans, as their next head coach. Soon after, Campbell brought Glenn in as his defensive coordinator. Two of Payton’s most trusted assistants were off to Detroit to lead a team of their own.



One of the first things the two discussed was building a mentality while building a team. They saw it work firsthand in New Orleans and hoped to replicate it in Detroit. They sought players who shared their mindset. In turn, those players helped lay the foundation for what this could look like. That the Lions dug out of a 1-6 hole to win eight of their last 10 games last season was no coincidence. For Campbell and Glenn, it was 21 months of process unfolding in real time.



These days, Glenn sees the Lions locker room inching closer and closer to what he had in New Orleans. This offseason provided an opportunity to continue that trajectory.

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You see, Gardner-Johnson, too, would depart the Saints, following after a successful three-year run. It was never a matter of talent. The two sides couldn’t reach an agreement on an extension, given the cap woes the Saints so often must navigate. New Orleans traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles before the 2022 season-opener, netting two late-round picks for a player they likely couldn’t afford to keep. He played out the final year of his rookie deal on an Eagles team that would go on to win the NFC.



Gardner-Johnson views himself as a winner in this league. He has three division titles under his belt and is fresh off a Super Bowl appearance. Ahead of a contract year with a new team, following a move from nickel to safety, all he did was tie for the league lead in interceptions with six.



When free agency began, Gardner-Johnson was widely regarded as one of the top players available. A multiyear deal didn’t come to fruition, but his relationship with Glenn was the reason he signed a one-year deal with the Lions. He’s expected to man the nickel position in Glenn’s defense — just like old times.




Like the draft four years ago, Glenn had been monitoring a reunion. The Lions had already made headlines during free agency, ahead of one of the franchise’s most anticipated seasons in years. In the last two weeks, Detroit has added cornerbacks Cam Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley, running back David Montgomery and guard Graham Glasgow, while retaining key internal free agents.




But Gardner-Johnson, No. 11 on The Athletic’s top 150 free agents, represents their biggest splash yet. If you needed a sign that the Lions believe their rebuild is coming to an end, look no further than this addition.




Gardner-Johnson believes he’s matured. He’s not the same kid he was at The Opening. He’s a father now. His son is his world and everything he does is for his family. He’s active in the community, already discussing ways to get involved in the Detroit area and use his platform. From afar, Gardner-Johnson watched the Lions turn their season around, and it told him everything he needed to know about the group of guys in place. He likens the Lions’ current status to the Saints teams he came up with, learning from the veterans who paved the way for him in the league and set the standard. He’s looking to do the same in Detroit. But most of all, he wants to be available.



“Everything that goes wrong on the backend, put it on me,” Gardner-Johnson said, when asked about his role in this new-look Lions secondary. “Don’t put it on Cam, don’t put on Kerb (Kerby Joseph), put it on me. I’ll take all the bullets for us on the backend. Why we didn’t play good? I gotta help us prep better. Put it on me. That’s what type of role I want.”



That’s music to Glenn’s ears, and a perfect example of how people often get it wrong when it comes to Gardner-Johnson. On the surface, you might see the occasional clips of him mouthing off midgame or chirping at an opposing player as arrogance or cockiness. That’s not what Glenn sees, though. He’s been doing this a long time — long enough that he’s confident in his ability to tell the difference. He’s seen guys pretend to be someone they aren’t. But the players Glenn gravitates to are the ones who wake up the same every day. They’re wired that way, and have a certain aura about them you can’t teach. The dudes whose presence is felt whenever they walk in a room or step onto a field. Glenn views Gardner-Johnson in the same light.




“The things that he says, he really means it,” Glenn said. “And you can tell. To me, there’s one thing about being cocky and that’s somebody that’s just talking, talking, talking. You can tell they really don’t believe what they’re saying. They’re trying to live the life of a corner. But you talk to the Jalen Ramseys, you talk to the Marshon Lattimores, you talk to those guys and they just have this aura about themselves that’s pretty unique. Deucey has that aura.”



That aura, and everything that comes with it, could be exactly what the Lions need to make the transition from surprise overachievers to perennial contenders.



Gardner-Johnson and Glenn, back together at long last, hope to see it happen.



Colton Pouncy is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Detroit Lions. He previously covered Michigan State football and basketball for the company, and covered sports for The Tennessean in Nashville prior to joining The Athletic. Follow Colton on Twitter @colton_pouncy

[chemiclord]

Valenti seems to think the Sudfeld signing is an indication that the Lions will go QB at #6.

I dunno if they're going QB at #6. But re-signing Sudfield is no evidence to support or dismiss the conclusion.

[Tom]

Yeah, I assumed they would look at a QB at some point but I don’t think it will necessarily be at #6.

I don’t think I’m as against a QB at #6 like I was before but I don’t want the Florida QB. He sounds very risky to me.

[chemiclord]

My mind keeps drifting back to Hendon Hooker. The Lions have talked to him a couple times, and it's possible he could be there in second (though QBs almost always tend to get drafted higher than projected). Holmes hasn't shied away from injured players, and the talent is absolutely there. He wouldn't get pressed into action right away, either. He could rehab as the third QB and eventually replace Sudfeld, if not replace Goff given time.

[whatever_gong82]

1st of 4 parts:

Ten thoughts on what the Lions did — and still have to do — during free agency

Justin Rogers

The Detroit News


Allen Park — To say the Detroit Lions have been active through the first wave of free agency would be an understatement. With that period winding down, we thought it was a good time to collect our thoughts on the moves the team has made and what's ahead for the remainder of the offseason.



▶ Acing cap management


Let's talk about the team's current cap situation. There are various contract aggregators who do a commendable job staying on top of the league's signings, cuts and restructures, and each of those sources has the Lions among the league leaders in remaining cap space. To backstop that math, I maintain my own spreadsheet, where I also aim to include future expenditures.


Here's the current situation: Acknowledging I don't have contract figures for Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Nate Sudfeld, who both recently agreed to terms with the team, I have the Lions with $18 million in cap room. There's a reason why my number is different — and lower — than some of the others you might see out there. That's because I add in projected contracts for the team's scheduled draft picks, which include two first-round and a pair of second-round selections. Assuming the Lions stick with the No. 6 pick, that player will end up having one of the 10 largest cap hits on the roster in 2023. So, it would be disingenuous to talk about money the Lions have to spend without acknowledging some of that cap space is earmarked for the draft class.



Additionally, only the top 51 contracts count toward the cap calculation in the offseason. Come the regular season, all 53 players on the roster, plus the team's 16-man practice squad are added into the equation. Plus, there's the necessity to maintain some kind of buffer, for those midseason additions when injuries come up. At a minimum, expect the Lions to take $5 million into training camp.



Still, that leaves room to add more to the roster this offseason, whether via free agency or trade, if there's a good fit. Alternatively, there's opportunity to work on contract extensions, which we'll come back to in a minute.




As for the future health of the cap, you may have noticed the Lions have been adding void years to several deals. That pushes some cap responsibility into 2024 and gives the team more immediate spending power. Let me assure you, the strategy is not an issue. As it currently stands, the Lions have about $12 million in dead cap going toward players who have contracts voiding at the end of the season. For context, 18 teams have more dead money against their current cap. And at first glance, the Lions don't have any obvious cap casualties for next offseason, so that amount shouldn't change much.


▶ About those extensions


The Lions have nearly 20 players who will be unrestricted free agents next season, but only one stands out as worthy of an early contract extension: Guard Jonah Jackson.



I've wondered aloud in recent weeks whether the Lions can afford to pay Jackson. Obviously, with the team's current cap situation, yes, they can. On the other hand, with Taylor Decker and Frank Ragnow on long-term, big-money deals, and Penei Sewell a couple of years away from breaking the bank, is it good business to tie up that much cap into a single position group? That's for general manager Brad Holmes and company to determine.


In recent weeks, Atlanta reset the market for the position, agreeing to an absurd five-year, $102 million extension with Chris Lindstrom. He's a really good player, no doubt, but it's the biggest contract for a guard ever, including a staggering $62 million in guarantees.



Jackson won't get that, but a contract averaging more than $10 million looks likely for a young, durable starter with a Pro Bowl selection on the resume. The four-year, $51 million contract with $27 million guaranteed that Ben Powers signed in Denver this offseason is a solid benchmark for extension talks with Jackson.


Additionally, we are obligated to float the possibility of an extension for quarterback Jared Goff. It's by no means a necessity with two years remaining on his current deal, but if the Lions don't draft a QB capable of developing into an heir apparent, further committing to Goff as the franchise's future, it makes more financial sense to pay him sooner than later, given the cap and contracts are steadily rising.


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▶ Taking a closer look at pay cuts


Three Lions veterans took substantial pay cuts this offseason. Charles Harris is taking $3 million less to stay, Halapoulivaati Vaitai trimmed his earning potential by nearly $6 million, and Romeo Okwara accepted a massive $9 million salary decrease.

It's been asked, why would any player agree to that? First and foremost, none of those three had any guaranteed money left on their deals, so agreeing to stay is, at least somewhat, a reflection they didn't think they could make more on the open market. Two years ago, the Lions scooped up Harris for less than $2 million, so coming off an injury plagued-season, was anyone going to pay him more than the $3.25 million he can potentially earn in Detroit this season?

Similarly for Vaitai, after missing all of 2022 because of a back injury, was any team going to give him $3 million and a chance to earn another $500,000 in playing-time bonuses?

I think Okwara might have been able to get more than the $2.5 million he'll be able to earn next season, but there is something to be said about re-establishing your value in a familiar setting, with familiar coaches. On top of that, there's still the appeal of playing alongside his brother in Detroit. Injuries have robbed the siblings of that chance for most of the past two seasons.


So, while taking pay cuts coming off major injury might be framed as a selfless act by these three players, for the most part, the decisions were in their best interest.


▶ Shakeup in the secondary


We obviously won't know until the team starts practicing, but I've been thinking about what the secondary setup will look like following the additions of Cam Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley and C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

My early guess would be Sutton, despite his ability to play anywhere in the back end, will spend most of his time on the outside. Opposite him, Moseley will compete for the starting job with Jeff Okudah and Jerry Jacobs, who I refuse to count out.


In the middle of the field, I'm counting on Tracy Walker's rehab from last year's torn Achilles to continue to progress and for him to be ready to start Week 1 alongside Kerby Joseph. That leaves Gardner-Johnson to handle nickel-corner responsibilities, like he did in New Orleans, when he previously played for defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.


Now, while I see that as the base setup, I recognize there's positional flexibility, particularly with Sutton and Gardner-Johnson. I would anticipate the Lions utilizing that to keep opposing offenses on balance.



▶ Cornerback still in play


Just because the Lions aggressively addressed the secondary in free agency doesn't rule out the possibility of taking a cornerback early in the draft.

Sutton is a long-term piece, on a three-year contract, but the future is unclear with the rest of that group. Moseley only signed for one season, Okudah's rookie contract expires after this season and Jacobs will be a restricted free agent. So, the ability to get a top-flight cover corner in the first round shouldn't be dismissed.

And yes, that means as early as the No. 6 pick, where both Devon Witherspoon and Christian Gonzalez carry appeal. Witherspoon sticks out as a clear culture and stylistic fit with his in-your-face aggressiveness, while Gonzalez is as athletically gifted as they come at the position, and is coming off a season in which he intercepted four passes.


Briefly back to Okudah — I'm not convinced he'll be on the Week 1 roster. The team's free-agency approach spoke volumes about how they viewed last year's starters, and if the Lions draft a cornerback on top of that, don't be surprised if they shop Okudah. He might not bring back much, but there are bound to be some coaches out there who loved him coming out of Ohio State and are convinced they can get more production out of him than the Lions did, especially two years removed from his Achilles injury.


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▶ Backfield improvements


Jamaal Williams was awesome during his two-year stint in Detroit, both on the field and with the relationships he built with the fans and this city. That said, David Montgomery is a clear upgrade. He's more elusive with the ball in his hands and a better weapon in the receiving game, while giving the team similar durability, short-yardage and pass-blocking abilities and locker-room leadership.

Williams has never played more than 522 snaps in a season during his six-year career, while Montgomery has never played fewer than 614. The combination of his durability and skill set put the Lions in better position to overcome D'Andre Swift's durability issues, because the full playbook can continue to be utilized with Montgomery's advanced route running.



▶ Work to do



Holmes has done a good job of checking items off the shopping list this offseason, but there are still areas where the roster needs attention. The Lions retained Isaiah Buggs, but have yet to upgrade a defensive interior that played a big role in the team allowing an ugly 5.2 yards per carry last season.

The tight-end room could also use some work. The young group caught a bunch of touchdowns last year, but didn't offer much more in the pass game and there's clearly an opportunity to get a better run-blocker in the mix.

And finally, the Lions still need help at wide receiver. Yes, Jameson Williams is in line for a much bigger role next season, but he's not a one-to-one replacement for what DJ Chark brought to the table, as a big-bodied X receiver who can use his frame to make plays in the red zone, while also having the speed to stretch the field and clear out underneath defenders.


Chark had been lingering on the market, and it felt like running it back was a possibility, but he reached an agreement with the Panthers on Friday. In terms of the draft, some early-round options who have a similar build and skill set are Tennessee's Cedric Tillman, TCU's Quentin Johnston and Wake Forest's A.T. Perry. Needing more polish, someone like West Virginia's Bryce Ford-Wheaton could be available later in the event.


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▶ The Jalen Carter dilemma



You'll find draft analysts out there who will tell you Carter is the most talented player in this class, and he'd certainly fill that need for an impact defensive tackle in Detroit, but I remain unconvinced the Lions would take him if he's on the board at No. 6.

This front office and coaching staff values character, which is a two-fold concept. There's off-field stuff and football character, the willingness to give everything you have, every day, to being the best player you can be.


I'm reluctant to engage in a debate about Carter off the field. We all know he was charged with reckless driving and racing in an auto accident that resulted in two deaths, but was that an isolated incident of immaturity that unfortunately ended in tragedy? Maybe. That's why teams invest so much into digging into these prospects as people, not just in the weeks before the draft, but for the past two or three years through the scouting process.

Then there's showing up to his pro day overweight and out of shape. That's in direct contradiction to everything the Lions have been about under Holmes and coach Dan Campbell. If Carter is not taking his preparation seriously now, what about when he has a conflict with an assistant coach or doesn't like his contract? It's all part of the consideration when investing $30 million over four years in a player.

I'm not saying the Lions won't draft Carter — because I can't say that with any real conviction. But, if I'm making assessments based on what I know, both from observable track record and conversations with people in the building, I'd lean toward the team passing.



▶ Special teams will need fresh blood



The Lions have lost more than they gained with their special-teams units this offseason. The team re-signed Anthony Pittman and CJ Moore, plus they're bringing back Jalen Reeves-Maybin, but saw Josh Woods and Chris Board land elsewhere. It's more than just having someone backfill those lost snaps, the team will need someone to step up and do it at a high level.

Maybe that's Will Harris, the versatile veteran who doesn't seem to have a clear path to playing time on defense following the aforementioned additions in the secondary. There's also probably room for Derrick Barnes and/or Malcolm Rodriguez to do more with those groups. Still, don't be surprised to see Detroit target a player or two in the later stages of the draft who have high ceilings as special-teams contributors.



▶ Kicking competition?



Right now, Michael Badgley is the only kicker on the roster. After a solid audition last season, he earned a new contract with the team and is the clear frontrunner for the job. But, with only $350,000 in guarantees attached to the deal, he's far from a roster lock.

Expect the Lions to add a rookie, even one who goes undrafted, to compete for the role. If the calm and cool Badgley continues to perform like he did last season, when he made 20 of 24 field goals, you can confidently roll with him. But, if there's any regression, it's a good idea to have an alternative waiting in the wings.



jdrogers@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @Justin_Rogers

[The King]

Gardner Johnson is an impact player. That dude makes plays. He’s going to be huge for us.

[edindetroit]

Hes just insurance...They will draft one Im sure.

I hope so because I don't think Sudfeld is it.

[ghandi]

I hope so because I don't think Sudfeld is it.

Hes cheap and he knows the playbook and system...I guess it gives them security in case the guy they want in the draft doesnt work out for them......Thats always a possibility with 31 other teams.