To paraphrase Jarvis Landry: CJ Gardner-Johnson is that DB your mom warned you about 😂😂😂 #Saints pic.twitter.com/8DVIx2kxZz
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) July 30, 2022
C.J. Gardner-Johnson is a star. When he isn’t standing up to Tom Brady in defiance or baiting multiple Chicago Bears receivers into getting themselves thrown out of games, the New Orleans Saints nickel back is working hard to push himself and his teammates in practice.
But his style of play has its drawbacks — like worrying the mothers of his new teammates. When asked what he knew of Gardner-Johnson before signing with New Orleans, slot receiver Jarvis Landry joked about his family’s concern should they share the field.
“Yeah,” Landry grinned. “He was one of the players, before I got here my mom was like, ‘Watch out for 22.'”
Landry went on to praise Gardner-Johnson for his contagious passion for football and the competitive streak that he brings to practice every day. Those are qualities that he’s shown in games the last three years, too, frustrating opponents with his hard-hitting and fast-talking style of play. He’s the kind of talent that you love to have on your side, but would be a pain to play against.
That’s something Saints fans know well after years of annoyance from NFC South gadflies like Steve Smith Sr. and Roddy White. Now the shoe’s on the other foot, and New Orleans is better for it. With Gardner-Johnson entering the final year of his rookie contract, let’s see if the team can re-up him for the long haul.
