C.J. Gardner-Johnson is gearing up for his second Super Bowl appearance with the Philadelphia Eagles, and the safety hasn’t minced words about his brief stint with the Detroit Lions.

Reflecting on his time there, Gardner-Johnson described the experience as “hell.” Speaking candidly to the media at Super Bowl LIX, he expressed his frustration over feeling misled by the Lions regarding their plans to bring him back in free agency.

Gardner-Johnson didn’t shy away from sharing his perspective: “I got lied to,” he remarked. “I was told I’d be brought back, but that didn’t happen. It was tough, but in the end, everything worked out for the better.”

After starting his career with the New Orleans Saints, Gardner-Johnson was traded to Philadelphia in August 2022. In Philadelphia, he excelled, delivering a standout season with six interceptions and a career-high 67 tackles, playing a pivotal role in the Eagles’ journey to the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs.

His first taste of free agency saw him signing a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions in March 2023. Unfortunately, he was limited to just three games there due to a torn pectoral muscle suffered early in the season. When he returned to the field in January, Gardner-Johnson found himself in a rotation with fellow safeties Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, and Ifeatu Melifonwu, a situation that didn’t sit well with him as a former starter.

After the 2023 season, Gardner-Johnson took another plunge into free agency and once again joined the Eagles, this time on a three-year deal. Under the guidance of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, Gardner-Johnson thrived, reinforcing his value as a key player for Philadelphia.

Despite his difficult experience in Detroit, he did acknowledge that the season had its successes, even if it wasn’t particularly enjoyable. With another Super Bowl on his horizon, Gardner-Johnson seems to have found his football groove back in Eagles green.