Bills' C.J. Gardner-Johnson makes costly mistakes vs. Rams

C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the spotlight again for the wrong reasons

In Buffalo's matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on “Monday Night Football,” the controversial safety is once again in the spotlight. He allowed a touchdown to wide receiver Davante Adams in the middle of the second quarter, which gave Los Angeles the lead.

Then, on the very next Rams possession, Gardner-Johnson got called for an unnecessary roughness penalty after a helmet-to-helmet hit on tight end Tyler Higbee. It didn’t lead to any points for the Rams, but it highlighted just how frustrating a player the Buffalo safety can be.

He emerged as one of the better safeties in the league during two stints with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022 and 2024. However, Gardner-Johnson has struggled to find that same success with other teams. He has been with a new club in each of the last four years, and he could be on the move again if things don’t change with the Bills.

They already struggle to defend the pass as it is, so they likely don’t have room for a player lacking production who draws unwanted attention to the team. Gardner-Johnson’s play and attitude both need to improve in the short term to be worth some of the trouble he brings.