The Buffalo Bills have released C.J. Gardner-Johnson, reversing an initial stance to keep the defensive back on the roster following a one-game suspension for spitting on an opponent. The decision, made during the team's bye week, comes after the Bills concluded that Gardner-Johnson had become too "high maintenance," according to Pro Football Talk.
Gardner-Johnson's tenure with the Bills was brief and tumultuous. He was signed to a one-year contract this offseason and played in six games, recording one interception and 26 tackles. However, his season was marred by the Week 6 incident where he spit on Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, leading to his suspension.
Buffalo coach Joe Brady initially stated on Oct. 19 that Gardner-Johnson remained a member of the team and had an opportunity to grow and improve. Despite this, the team opted to release him two days after their Week 8 victory over the Ravens, a game in which Gardner-Johnson was suspended.
The Bills are not the first team to part ways with Gardner-Johnson due to off-field issues or team dynamics. His career has been characterized by short stints with multiple franchises. After beginning his career with the New Orleans Saints from 2019-21, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022. He signed with the Detroit Lions for one year before returning to Philadelphia in 2024, a reunion that lasted only one season.
Philadelphia then traded him to the Houston Texans ahead of the 2025 season, where his stay was cut short after just three games, reportedly due to "friction behind the scenes." A subsequent brief period with the Baltimore Ravens saw him not appear in any games, followed by 10 games with the Chicago Bears to finish the 2025 season.
While Gardner-Johnson is considered a talented defensive back, his history suggests that teams are increasingly unwilling to overlook the baggage he brings, especially when his performance doesn't consistently outweigh the disruptions. The Bills' decision marks another chapter in his nomadic NFL career.