Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson has offered his account of why he was released by the Houston Texans in September, stating that the decision stemmed from an altercation during training camp with an individual he described as "the GM’s friend."
The incident, as detailed by Gardner-Johnson in an interview with The Athletic, occurred at Greenbrier, where he alleges this individual called him a derogatory name. According to Gardner-Johnson, this person then communicated with the Texans' general manager, leading to his subsequent release.
The Texans had acquired Gardner-Johnson in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles in March 2025, but he played only three games for the team before his departure. At the time of his release, reports from KPRC 2 Houston indicated friction behind the scenes, including complaints about his role, a desire to blitz more, and expressed wishes for a trade.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio acknowledged the decision at the time, stating, "In the end, took a shot on goal. Didn’t work out, move on, and let’s focus on the rest of the team and the players that are here."
Following his release from the Texans, Gardner-Johnson spent a week on the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad before joining the Chicago Bears for the remainder of the season. In March, he signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Buffalo Bills.