The Eagles are set for a major retool this offseason. and with All-Pro quarterback, Jalen Hurts set to sign a massive contract extension, some big-name defenders are on the move to really greener pastures.
Philadelphia badly wants to retain C.J. Gardner-Johnson, but former Bengals safety Jessie Bates may have just made that even more difficult.
Falcons are giving former Bengals S Jessie Bates a four-year, $64.02 million deal that includes $23 million in year one and $36 million in first two years of the deal, per source. He now is the fourth highest-paid S in NFL history.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2023
The $16 million per season puts Bates in the top five for safeties and gives Gardner-Johnson a number to shoot for.
Here’s how Bates’s new deal with Atlanta impacts the Eagles.
Comparing Bates to C.J. Gardner-Johnson in 2022
Bates has started 79 games over five seasons with the Bengals and in 2022 logged a career-high four interceptions and eight pass deflections for one of the league’s most effective pass defenses.
Bates has size, 14 career interceptions, and the ability to play a single high scheme or two deep schemes.
Highest paid safety in 2023
Derwin James signed a four-year, $76 million extension with $42 million in guarantees where $38,584,471 was fully guaranteed at signing last offseason. Prior to that, Minkah Fitzpatrick was the NFL’s highest-paid safety. Fitzpatrick received a four-year extension averaging $18.247 million per year and containing $36 million fully guaranteed from the Steelers last June.
Gardner-Johnson's projected deal
Projected deal: 5-year, $$66,658,780
Avg per year: $13.3 million
Gardner-Johnson was the NFL’s co-leader with six interceptions despite missing five games with a lacerated kidney. The $13.3 million per year projection would put him at No. 9 overall in the NFL, ahead of Quandre Diggs.
Final observation
The Saints initially traded Gardner-Johnson to the Eagles late last preseason after being unable to agree on a contract extension. The Saints were reportedly offering $8 million per year while Gardner-Johnson was seeking $12 million per year.
Gardner-Johnson was the NFL’s co-leader with six interceptions despite missing five games with a lacerated kidney and could get his $12 million per from some other team.
