Saints' star has a strong message for Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
Over the years, the New Orleans Saints have drafted quite well in their secondary. From Marshon Lattimore to Marcus Williams to Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, it seemed like the Saints were grabbing a dynamic presence at defensive back in every year's draft. This year, Alontae Taylor looks like that guy. Regardless, the salary cap has put New […]
Over the years, the New Orleans Saints have drafted quite well in their secondary.
From Marshon Lattimore to Marcus Williams to Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, it seemed like the Saints were grabbing a dynamic presence at defensive back in every year's draft.
This year, Alontae Taylor looks like that guy.
Regardless, the salary cap has put New Orleans in interesting situation in regards to re-signing some of their top talent in the secondary.
They couldn't afford to keep Marcus Williams in the building. He's one of the top free safeties in the NFL. A similar situation happened with safety Vonn Bell.
On the flip-side, the Saints did lock down Marshon Lattimore on a long-term extension last year. He has been their top CB since he entered the league.
Lattimore got paid, and he absolutely deserved it.
During this off-season, the Saints and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson were at a crossroads. The two sides didn't see CGJ's position in the same light.
That meant vastly different contract extensions in terms of money. In the end, they couldn't get a deal done. Gardner-Johnson was frustrated and wanted out.
The Saints obliged by trading him to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Now, Lattimore has a strong message for his former teammate.
Gardner-Johnson's contract won't look quite like Lattimore's.
Lattimore has been an outside cornerback for his entire career and shadowed top receivers for the Saints. He is getting paid as a top ten CB in the NFL.
Gardner-Johnson plays a different role.
He sees time in the slot at CB as well as safety. He's versatile, but the value is different. Regardless, he is in line for a pretty penny after this season.
The Saints chose not to be the team to pay up for him, though.
Featured Image via USA TODAY-Sports
