Early on in the 2024 season, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson struggled in his return to the Philadelphia Eagles roster.
After missing most of last season with the Detroit Lions for several different injuries, Gardner-Johnson signed back with Philadelphia in the offseason - a correction from his career year in 2022.
But as the early season struggles began, plenty of fans and analysts wondered exactly why the leader in league interceptions in 2022 was struggling so poorly.
Some even had second thoughts about the signing in general.
Now, though, those concerns have been put to rest.
In just the last three weeks, Gardner-Johnson'd play has greatly improved over time. His Pro Football Focus grade of 92.3 during the team's 34-6 win over the Dallas Cowboys was the second-highest of any Eagles defender and player.
He recorded seven tackles, a pass defended, and an interception in the win.
It's no wonder that the Eagles' secondary has given up under 100 yards passing in two of the last four games since then as well. With rookie stars like Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean beginning to hit their stride on defense, Philadelphia has needed competent play from their safeties to round the group off.
That is exactly what Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship have done in their current defensive alignment. With Gardner-Johnson's play improving drastically, the Eagles' defense has become one of the best in the league.
And it's why the team is back to having Super Bowl thoughts.
