Jay Mabry
Sep. 25, 2025
texans-release-safety
The Houston Texans released C.J. Gardner-Johnson on Tuesday in what seemed like a shocking departure. The Super Bowl winning safety was just acquired by the Texans this offseason via trade for left guard Kenyon Green and some pick swaps. Green was the 15th pick in the 2022 NFL draft who struggled to have a positive impact on the offensive line.
Gardner-Johnson had a very successful season last year with the Philadelphia Eagles, finishing 11th place in the comeback player of the year race. His 2023 stint with the Detroit Lions ended prematurely with the safety tearing his pec during an overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks after only two games.
Although the safety has been a high-quality player, he has had some serious behavioral issues in the past with every team he has played for. Over his career, Gardner-Johnson has been fined numerous times for on-field behavior, including fighting, taunting, and unsportsmanlike conduct. In anonymous player polls he was voted the biggest trash talker in 2023 and the most annoying player in 2024.
The Green Bay Packers have ranked in the middle of the pack for opposing quarterback completion percentage, and top six in total opposing passing yards through three games. However, on Sunday against the Browns, the Packers had very limited options in the secondary with Javon Bullard receiving a concussion.
Signing Gardner-Johnson to a one-year, low cost prove-it-deal could be a low-risk option for the Packers considering many teams are looking to avoid him because of his issues on and off the field. However, the Packers have multiple young talents at cornerback and might look past Gardner-Johson. Brock Bruesch, a lifelong Packer fan said, “Gardner-Johnson would crowd an already crowded secondary room and stunt the growth of our young guys like Javon Bullard and Evan Williams.”
Kalum Terell, an Eagles fan, talked about how Gardner-Johnson was a great player on the team but a lot to deal with and a locker room cancer. He is not interested in signing him with the young talent they brought in. “We have multiple secondary players that he would take time from.”
https://www.nfl.com/news/texans-demeco-ryans-cj-gardner-johnson-release-decision-i-know-whats-best
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GardCh00/gamelog/2023
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/awards_2024.htm
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38435559/source-lions-cj-gardner-johnson-feared-torn-pec
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44205926/texans-land-s-gardner-johnson-eagles-ol-green
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46357996/source-texans-release-veteran-safety-cj-gardner-johnson
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