Months after the Philadelphia Eagles rescinded CJ Gardner-Johnson‘s contract, the seasoned safety has come out to share his thoughts about his unceremonious and sudden departure from the Lincoln Financial Field. In a recent interview, Gardner-Johnson recalled how he felt when the Eagles decided to trade him to Houston just weeks after he led them to the second Super Bowl title in their history.
CJ Gardner-Johnson opens up about parting ways with the Philadelphia Eagles
During his recent appearance on the Pivot podcast, CJ Gardner-Johnson noted that he was “in shock” when the Eagles traded him to the Houston Texans in March 2025, instead of renewing his contract.
“I was trying to make history there,” the 27-year-old safety remarked before adding, “I told [Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans] I couldn’t come into the building because I was confused. I didn’t know who to turn to.” Gardner-Johnson then revealed that he had relocated his family and kids to Philadelphia a short while before the Eagles unexpectedly announced his departure.
After trading CJ Gardner-Johnson, Eagles’ general manager Howie Roseman came out to explain his side’s surprise decision, stating that they sanctioned the departure of the NFL veteran to make room for long-term contracts for younger players.
Initially, the Florida Gators alum openly expressed his displeasure with the Eagles’ decision to part ways with him, going as far as to say, “The Eagles probably won’t see a ring without me. Y’all saw what happened when I left. I’m popping now, I’m glad I’m in Texas,” in a June Instagram live session. (via Newsweek)
However, CJ Gardner-Johnson seems to have accepted how things have transpired now and issued a contradictory statement about Philadelphia not renewing his contract in the aforementioned interview. Putting all animosity aside, Gardner-Johnson noted, “I got nothing against them. If they win six more rings without me, they deserve it.”
The NFL icon originally joined forces with the Eagles back in 2022, before leaving the side in 2023 for the Detroit Lions. However, he returned for a second stint just a year later in 2024, only for Philadelphia to cut his deal short in 2025. CJ Gardner-Johnson will now don the colors of the Houston Texans in the upcoming NFL season.
