The Houston Texans traded for veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson this summer, but after starting the 2025 NFL season 0-3, the team has decided to release him.
The Houston Texans are shaking things up after a disappointing 0-3 start to the 2025 NFL season.
On Tuesday, the team made a surprising roster move by releasing veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.
Houston had acquired Gardner-Johnson in an offseason trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, sending offensive lineman Kenyon Green to Philly and swapping late-round draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. The trade ultimately flopped for both sides: the Eagles released Green during training camp, and now Gardner-Johnson is no longer part of the Texans’ roster.
Gardner-Johnson started all three games this season, recording 15 tackles in Houston’s three consecutive losses. However, the Texans appear ready to shift direction in their secondary. With Gardner-Johnson gone, Houston is expected to rely on nickelback Jalen Pitre and backup safety M.J. Stewart to help stabilize the defense.
This surprising release signals that head coach DeMeco Ryans and the Texans’ front office are making bold changes as they search for a way to turn around their season.
As for C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s future, the veteran safety is once again on the hunt for a new team.
Remarkably, he has changed teams every offseason for the past four years, including two separate stints with the Philadelphia Eagles. However, a return to Philly appears highly unlikely after Gardner-Johnson’s sharp comments about defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and the Eagles’ front office following the trade, claiming they were “scared of a competitor.”
