This past offseason, the Houston Texans acquired veteran safety and Super Bowl champion C.J. Gardner-Johnson in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. After three weeks and three losses, the Texans are parting ways with Gardner-Johnson amid “friction.”
The decision has made waves already.
The Texans’ defense has been a secondary concern behind their offense. Now, the Texans must adjust their secondary without Gardner-Johnson around.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson Requested Trade Before Texans Cut
GettyC.J. Gardner-Johnson #8 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after breaking up a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LIX.
KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X the “#Texans released C.J. Gardner-Johnson after friction behind the scenes with him complaining about his role, wanting to blitz more, per league sources, and even communicating that he wanted to be traded. It didn’t work out for him here. M.J. Stewart next man up expected.”
Gardner-Johnson took to social media in recent days, but only to urge the Texans to bounce back following their losses, posting, “Regroup, bounce back attack the week! #HTownMade,” on X on September 22.
Gardner-Johnson has started all three of the Texans’ games so far this season. He also ranks fourth on the team in total tackles. Moreover, he logged the fourth-most defensive snaps on the team, per Pro Football Reference.
“One of the highest-energy and outspoken defensive backs in the NFL, Gardner-Johnson was expected to provide a boost to an already loaded defense and secondary,” Wilson wrote in a follow-up article. “Gardner-Johnson said he was aiming for another Super Bowl ring with the Texans, who have never advanced past the AFC divisional round in six previous games.
“Instead, it didn’t work out. And now it’s over.”
C.J. Gardner-Johnson Cut Part of ‘Strange’ Season for Texans
GettyC.J. Gardner-Johnson #8 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on before the game against the Dallas Cowboys.
“Sources: The #Texans are releasing S C. J. Gardner-Johnson,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on X on September 23. “A surprise.”
Reactions like Rapoport’s were common in the early aftermath of the Texans’ unexpected roster decision. Gardner-Johnson was in Year 3 of a four-year, $27 million contract and had just seen his deal adjusted.
“A slow and strange start to the Texans season continues,” ESPN’s Field Yates said in a post on X reacting to the move on September 22. “Just 3 weeks ago, the Texans converted $6.58M of CJ Gardner-Johnson’s salary into a signing bonus. They clearly had legitimate plans for the player in their secondary.
“Things changed in a hurry…”
Texans’ Trade With Eagles Still Has Moving Parts
“In March, the Texans and Eagles swapped Gardner-Johnson and Kenyon Green along with draft picks,” The Athletic’s Dianna Russini posted in reaction to the news. “Now, after three weeks, Gardner-Johnson has been released and Green has been waived.”
Notably, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones believes Gardner-Johnson could return to the Eagles.
“C.J. Gardner-Johnson can only be in certain locker rooms and a locker room that’s 0-3 isn’t going to be one of them,” Jones posted. “Can’t rule out a reunion in Philly.”
The Eagles are 3-0 on the season. They would also provide a familiar landing spot for Garder-Johnson. However, he took exception to how his situation was handled. He also touted his history of not disrupting the locker room.
The Texans will take on the Indianapolis Colts, without Gardner-Johnson, in Week 4.
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