Eagles didn’t regret letting ex-star go — until now. Black Friday could change everything.

PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles did not regret trading safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans this past offseason, though some people believe it was a mistake.

But when Gardner-Johnson returns to Philadelphia this Friday to face his former team as a new member of the Chicago Bears, the Eagles could have second thoughts about that decision for the first time.

Over the past month, Gardner-Johnson’s replacement, rookie safety Drew Mukuba, had improved his consistency in coverage and run defense, helping the Eagles’ defense become one of the best units in the NFL for the second straight year.

But on Monday, Mukuba was placed on injured reserve after fracturing his ankle in Sunday’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Now, the Eagles have to hope unproven third-year safety Sydney Brown, who has struggled in his limited opportunities on defense, can play at a similar level to keep the defense elite.

The Bears could exploit Philadelphia’s secondary by targeting Brown over the middle of the field. On the other side, Gardner-Johnson might make a big play to help Chicago pull off an upset and send his former team into a two-game skid.

Some Eagles fans wanted the team to re-sign Gardner-Johnson after the Texans released him three games into the season, but the two sides didn’t reunite. He spent one week on the Ravens’ practice squad before getting released again, and then after being a free agent for two weeks, he joined the Bears’ 53-man roster on October 29.

“Could have signed C.J. Gardner-Johnson now we stuck with Sydney Brown,” an Eagles fan posted this week on X.

“Another (Eagles general manager) Howie Roseman idiotic move. He had several this offseason. Howie always goes from brilliant, to brilliantly negligible,” another Eagles fan commented on X.

The Eagles could have done a better job of bolstering their safety depth behind Mukuba and Reed Blankenship, rather than relying on Brown. Alternatively, they could have kept Gardner-Johnson for one more season while still drafting Mukuba.

Gardner-Johnson was a key starter on last year’s Super Bowl-winning defense and amassed 12 interceptions in his two seasons (2022 and 2024) with the Eagles.

He will be the top playmaking defensive back on the field Friday for either team. Overall, the 27-year-old has been an inconsistent performer throughout his seven-year career, but he makes up for it with big turnovers. He could be extra motivated to get one against his former team to show Roseman he made a mistake.

Playing slot cornerback for the first time since his three-year tenure (2019-2021) with the New Orleans Saints, Gardner-Johnson has racked up 20 tackles and three sacks for the Bears.

“(C.J.) actually texted me last night, and we caught up a little bit,” Blankenship told reporters on Tuesday. “I’m proud of what he’s doing. I’ve always respected him as a player and especially as a brother. I still believe that we’re family. And I’m glad he’s doing well. I love to see him play regardless of where he’s at.

“He’s dominating. I love to see that. And if the emotions run high, they run high. He’s a great ball player and he plays with that emotion. But I’m glad he’s doing well.”

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