On Sunday night, the news broke that the Detroit Lions were signing multi-versatile defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson to a one-year deal with up to $8 million with a reported $6.5 million guaranteed. Gardner-Johnson and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will once again be united as player and coach.
Glenn has a long history with Gardner-Johnson and goes back even further than most people know—like a full decade back.
When Gardner-Johnson was just 15 years old, he attended a high school training event called The Opening in Oregon. At the event, Glenn showed up to help support former teammate Ray Mickens in coaching the defensive backs. Gardner-Johnson’s talent was undeniable and he was one of the best players at the event. But with his skills came a bravado, and when Glenn felt like Gardner-Johnson wasn’t taking direction from coaches, Glenn did a very Aaron Glenn thing and benched Gardner-Johnson. It was a reality check that Gardner-Johnson needed, and it helped set the foundation for their future interactions.
Since that fateful meeting, the pair were reunited in New Orleans when the Saints drafted Gardner-Johnson in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft. Immediately, Glenn knew how they could best utilize his talent, as a modern-day hybrid slot defensive back.
