PHILADELPHIA − By the end, it was becoming clear that Chauncey Gardner-Johnson couldn't hold back.

Gardner-Johnson had spent the majority of his re-introductory press conference Friday humbly explaining how much he had grown as a person in the year he spent with the Detroit Lions after leaving the Eagles somewhat acrimoniously in free agency last March.

Gardner-Johnson, 26, said he grew and matured in Detroit, especially after tearing his pectoral muscle in Week 2 last season, then made it back in time for the regular-season finale and the Lions' playoff run to the NFC Championship game.

"I learned myself, figured out ball isn’t always about you," Gardner said. "It’s about 53 other guys out there, the front office. So getting hurt, taking a step back and not being the focal point, made me realize that I want to be part of something greater, and better than where I’m at, if that makes sense.

"I felt like I was more ... aware of what I was capable of, such as my talking, my play, my actions off the field. I’m just more so like impact. And I want to be a positive impact on and off the field, if that makes sense."

The Eagles clearly think so, signing Gardner-Johnson to a three-year deal worth as much as $33 million. No doubt, they want some of Gardner-Johnson's swagger, too. After all, Gardner-Johnson tied for the NFL lead in interceptions in 2022 with 6 despite missing 5 games with a lacerated kidney.

But after the Eagles lost in the Super Bowl, Gardner-Johnson wanted to be paid among the best safeties in the NFL. The Eagles balked, deciding to re-sign both cornerbacks Darius Slay and James Bradberry instead. So Gardner-Johnson signed with the Lions for one year and $8.5 million.

Soon after, he blasted Eagles fans on a live stream on Twitch last July, when he was asked about his favorite and least favorite part of his time in Philadelphia.

"My least favorite thing ... is the people," Gardner-Johnson said. "They’re (expletive) obnoxious. I (expletive) can’t stand the (expletives)."

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When asked about that Friday, Gardner-Johnson, again humbly, said that he was so upset that he had to leave Philadelphia, that he let his emotions get the better of him.

"I’m obnoxious," he said. "That was just my feelings. You want to be somewhere so bad, to the point to where you can’t control certain things. So certain things were said, but there was no meaning to it. I’m back, so I guess we’re all happy. Family reunion, huh?"

Certainly, the Eagles missed Gardner-Johnson as the defense combusted in 2023. The Eagles ranked 31st against the pass and 30th in scoring defense. And the fans evidently missed him too.

Gardner-Johnson said, "You could sense it from the fans," when asked if he felt people clamoring for a return.

That's when Gardner-Johnson's demeanor changed. He was asked if he was going to wear No. 23, the number he wore with the Eagles in 2022.

He mentioned the late Kobe Bryant, his favorite player in any sport, when he was growing up.

"I think tapping into a different mentality, it’s something that people (think) will be great to see this year," Gardner-Johnson said. "I’m in my Kobe mode right now, so I’m coming out with the Mamba. I’m coming out with the 8."

Soon after, Gardner-Johnson was rolling.

Gardner-Johnson was a nickel corner in his first four seasons in the NFL, all with the Saints, who drafted him in the fourth round in 2019. The Eagles traded for him 10 days before the season started in 2022, and moved him to safety, the position he played at Florida.

So would he prefer to remain a safety, or did he value having the positional versatility?

To this, Gardner-Johnson began his response with: "I think it’s my time to be cocky." He then looked over at the Eagles' public relations official and said, "Is it my time to be cocky?"

Gardner-Johnson didn't wait for the official to start saying, "Nah," before saying: "I’m still one of the best young safeties in the league. So I ain’t worried about (that), you know? I’m ready to keep it going."

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles CJ Gardner-Johnson humble until Kobe Bryant's number came up