Nick Shook of NFL.com named C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s trade to Houston as the biggest departure that’ll impact the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025

In March, the Philadelphia Eagles shocked the NFL by trading safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans for offensive guard Kenyon Green and a fifth-round pick.

Many questioned why the Eagles would trade away a core part of their defense after winning the Super Bowl. GM Howie Roseman highlighted the situation at the NFL annual meetings.

“I think if you’re just taking the C.J. move in a vacuum, it’s kind of not giving the whole perspective of where we’re at. And I think Chauncey did a great job for us, and both the years that he was with us — obviously, making the Super Bowl twice in two years with him as our starting safety.

It was a huge move that’ll certainly impact Philadelphia and Houston.

NFL.com agreed, as Nick Shook named the dynamic safety’s departure the one loss that’ll impact the Eagles the most.

Gardner-Johnson has not played for the same team in consecutive years since 2020-2021, when he was on his rookie deal with the Saints, but he helped the Eagles win a Super Bowl last season in his second stint with the team. Fresh off a championship, Philadelphia traded him to the Texans with budgetary concerns in mind. Moves like that one can help the Eagles remain competitive, but such deals only work if the replacements produce. Enter Texas product Andrew Mukuba — a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft — who might be asked to step in and fill the void right away. It will be no easy task, even on a talented defense. Meanwhile, Gardner-Johnson will aim to follow up a career-best season with a stellar campaign as a member of the Texans, where he’s joining one of the best secondaries in the NFL.

The Eagles let several good players walk this offseason due to financial constraints, including key contributors Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, and Isaiah Rodgers. Retaining Zack Baun was their top priority this offseason, and they signed him to a three-year, $51 million extension. They also extended Saquon Barkley and Lane Johnson.

Roseman likely wanted to avoid a potential contract dispute with Gardner-Johnson in preparation for paying his younger players. Cam Jurgens, Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, Nolan Smith, Jalen Carter, Quinyon Mitchell, and Cooper DeJean are all on rookie contracts. Carter is projected to reset the defensive tackle market next year.