Houston Texans release DB CJ Gardner-Johnson

The Houston Texans released veteran defensive back CJ Gardner-Johnson after just three games with the team. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the news Tuesday.

Gardner-Johnson played in all three games, logging 15 total tackles. He was traded to Houston from the Philadelphia Eagles in March in exchange for Kenyon Green amid draft compensation. Green has since been waived by the Eagles.

KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reported that there was friction between Gardner-Johnson and the Texans. Ultimately, it led to a parting of ways.

“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,” Wilson wrote. “It didn’t work out for him here. M.J. Stewart next man up expected.”

Garnder-Johnson is coming off helping the Eagles win Super Bowl LIX last season, his second stint with the team. Originally a member of the New Orleans Saints (2019-21), the Saints traded him to Philadelphia in August of 2022.

During that season, Gardner-Johnson made an instant impact, grabbing a career-high six interceptions that year. He helped the Eagles make Super Bowl LVII, a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Since his contract was up, Gardner-Johnson sought a long term deal. However, he and Philadelphia didn’t come to any sort of agreement and it led the defensive back to the Detroit Lions on a one-year contract.

Gardner-Johnson was limited to just three games due to injury in 2023 and ended up going into free agency with uncertainty. However, he returned to the Eagles by signing a three-year contract worth $27 million.

Last season, Garnder-Johnson logged another six interceptions, tying his career high. As Philadelphia remade their secondary following the Super Bowl win, Gardner-Johnson was a surprise trade in the offseason as the team also let veteran CB Darius Slay go. Slay eventually signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A former fourth round pick out of Florida by the Saints in 2019, it remains to be seen where Gardner-Johnson ends up next. Heck, with the way Eagles GM Howie Roseman works, you can’t rule out a return to Philadelphia!