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Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson is known for being outspoken, and his peers dubbed him with a unique distinction for the second straight year.
After being voted last year’s biggest trash-talker in an annual poll conducted by The Athletic’s Mike Jones, Gardner-Johnson took home the title once again after the category was expanded to “most annoying player in the NFL.” Gardner-Johnson received 20.9 percent of the vote, ahead of Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins’ 11.9 percent.
“Yap yap yap,” one player said when discussing his annoyance with Gardner-Johnson.
The six-year veteran is back in Philadelphia after spending 2023 with the Detroit Lions. During his first stint with the Eagles in 2022, he recorded career highs of 67 total tackles and six interceptions, the latter of which led the NFL.
However, Gardner-Johnson has not performed at the same level amid Philadelphia’s 2-2 start to this season. He has 21 total tackles and two passes defended, but his coverage skills have been subpar. After being called out by former players on a podcast, Gardner-Johnson apologized for his performance this year on social media:
C.J. Gardner-Johnson @CGJXXIII
Ima fix my coverage issues, trust me I owe yall more than what I been showing in coverage!!! 100% on me and my technique https://t.co/8jReYXz8wL
Wilkins, who is in his first year in Las Vegas after spending the first five seasons of his career with the Miami Dolphins, was described as “a different type of s–t talker.” His teammate, Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, was ranked third on the list.
Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce also showed up on the list after receiving three votes, but his trash talk wasn’t the reason.
“It’s because the camera pans over to Taylor Swift every time he catches a pass,” he said. “It’s so annoying. That’s annoying.”
Many players abstained from voting on this question, as Jones noted that only 67 of the 110 players polled offered a response.
