There will be no mourning for these three 2023 Detroit Lions players this season. Last season, the Detroit Lions lived up
to the preseason anticipation as they advanced to the NFC Championship Game, winning two playoff games and a division championship in the process. This year’s buzz is a little different because there’s a chance to go all the way to the Super Bowl—or perhaps win it.It’s safe to say that the Lions improved numerous positions throughout the offseason, but none more so than cornerback. Head coach Dan Campbell uses the term “unfinished business” as a convenient way to ensure that any indications of complacency never take hold. However, certain players were unavoidably lost from the club from the previous season when the Lions’ roster was altered. It will take time to determine whether their exits were significant or whether the Lions successfully replaced them, despite early indications that they had done so in at least one instance.
The Lions won’t be missing these three guys from the previous squad in the slightest this season. Although Gardner-Johnson won’t be missed by the Lions, it’s not all his fault. He was unable to play until the regular season finale due to a torn pectoral in Week 2. From then until the playoffs, he did have two interceptions, but in two of the three playoff games, his Pro Football Focus total grade was lower than 47.0.
With a 33.9 PFF grade, three missed tackles, a tantalizing of the football gods, and an unnecessary hit on 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel, his performance in the NFC Championship Game was especially appalling. He was headed for free agency after adding all of that to his preemptive resentment over his role before he had even made a comeback from his long-term injury. He inked a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, playing for them in 2022.
Gardner-Johnson was unable to completely support his confidence with his play last season due to a serious injury.
However, even in his playing days, he lacked the bite to match his barking, and going into the 2024 season, the Lions’ secondary appears much stronger without him.