Eagles Land Star Defender In Surprise Preseason Trade: Reports

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Just weeks before the start of the regular season, the ceaselessly retooling Eagles have reportedly pulled off another major move.

The team has landed lauded New Orleans Saints safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport first reported. The move stunned analysts because Gardner-Johnson had been in the midst of contract extension talks with the Saints.

Gardner-Johnson's agent has since confirmed the move to multiple media networks.

Just 25, Gardner-Johnson will immediately slot in as one of the team's pre-eminent defenders, making a secondary that was once a weakness suddenly one of its strongest points.

To land him, the Birds reportedly gave up a light load: a 2023 5th round pick, and the lower of their two sixth round picks in 2024. They also received the Saints seventh round pick in 2025.

Gardner-Johnson's rookie contract was expiring and he reportedly didn't like what the Saints were offering. The Birds will only have him for the coming season, but the trade provides major value to a team expected to compete for the NFC East title and a playoff run once again.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is "always working the phones," Rapoport said, and the Birds struck once they saw an opening.