Former Detroit Lions cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson was surprisingly released by the Houston Texans on Monday after only three games with the team. Gardner-Johnson was traded to the Texans this offseason after being a key contributor in the Super Bowl champion-winning Philadelphia Eagles secondary last season.
In return, the Eagles received guard Kenyon Green and a 2025 fifth-round draft pick. Green is no longer with the Eagles. Gardner-Johnson, in his second stint with the Eagles last season, recorded 59 total tackles and six interceptions during the regular season. During the Eagles' Super Bowl-winning run in the playoffs, he recorded 14 total tackles.
Gardner-Johnson's short time with the Texans
Entering this season, Gardner-Johnson was expected to be a key piece for the Texans' defense; however, a disappointing 0-3 start, with all three losses coming by five points or less, has caused Houston to make some changes to their defense.
In his three games with the Texans to start the season, Gardner-Johnson recorded 15 total tackles. Following his release, reports have emerged about tension off the field with Gardner-Johnson, and he was frustrated with his role on the team. Gardner-Johnson even considered requesting a trade from the Texans.
#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 @KPRC2 https://t.co/2BNY7k5xsH
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 23, 2025
Gardner-Johnson's release confirm what Lions already knew
This is nothing new with Gardner-Johnson, as it seems like every year he causes problems with the team that he's on, which is why many argue he's on a new NFL roster every season.
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Lions fans clearly remember his antics with the team, which included him waving goodbye to the 49ers fans, while the Lions were up 24-7 to San Francisco at halftime of the NFC Championship. We all know that story didn't end well, as the Lions lost 34-31 to the 49ers in the NFC Championship.
Other than his time with the Lions, Eagles, and Texans, Gardner-Johnson started his NFL career with the New Orleans Saints, where he played two seasons with the team after being selected in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
With Gardner-Johnson now on the market, an NFL team will definitely add them to its roster, regardless of the issues that he has had with teams off the field in the past.