Reasons why Brian Branch urges the Lions to re-sign veteran defensive starter.

Reasons why Brian Branch urges the Lions to re-sign veteran defensive starter.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson, a veteran safety, could leave the Detroit Lions in free

agency after just six games. However, if it were up to fellow defensive back Brian Branch, the Lions would re-sign Gardner-Johnson.

“Yes, bring this mf back,” Branch wrote on X (formerly Twitter) in response to a

question about whether the Lions should bring back Gardner-Johnson.

Gardner-Johnson played only three regular-season games for the Lions after suffering a pectoral muscle injury in

Week 2. Gardner-Johnson returned for the team’s final regular-season game as well as its three playoff games.

In three regular-season games, he had 17 combined tackles, three pass defenses, and one interception. Gardner-Johnson

also recorded 12 combined tackles, 1 pass defense, and 1 interception in the playoffs.

Last offseason, the Lions signed the 26-year-old to a one-year, $6.5 million deal.

Unfortunately, Branch missed the majority of the regular season due to a

pectoral muscle tear. But the Lions did get a taste of what makes Gardner-Johnson so valuable.

Gardner-Johnson averaged roughly the same number of tackles per game in 2022, when he set a career high with 67

combined tackles for the Philadelphia Eagles. He averaged a pass defense per game for Detroit

As a result, pundits have linked the Lions to several cornerbacks and edge rushers in free agency and the NFL draft.

Re-signing Gardner-Johnson at safety would also benefit Detroit’s secondary. It also would not affect any draft or free

agency plans if general manager Brad Holmes is planning a major move at cornerback

KVIBEZSPORT