C.J. Gardner-Johnson believes Texans have a 'Super Bowl-caliber' team
The newest member of the Houston Texans' secondary spent the last three seasons playing in the NFC Championship and a pair of Super Bowls. In 2022, he led the Eagles in interceptions but came up short in the big game against Patrick Mahomes in Glendale.
The following season, his Detroit Lions couldn't excute a late-quarter drive against the San Francisco 49ers out west.
Last season, after inking a three-year deal to return to Philadelphia, Gardner-Johnson once more impacted the Eagles' defense throughout the regular season, once again helping the NFC East franchise make it to the Super Bowl in New Orleans. The difference? Philly finished the job and then some against Mahomes in the Chiefs for their first title since 2017.
All three teams were good enough to hoist up a Lombardi Trophy. So, when asked how good the Texans were entering the new season, Gardner-Johnson made it known there's a championship culture on the sidelines.
'This is a Super Bowl-caliber team,' Gardner-Johnson said of Houston's roster. 'You've got guys who go out there and show it week in, week out.'
It's not shocking to hear Gardner-Johnson speak highly of his new team following a trade this offseason. When he arrived in the building back in April, his motto for the season was "championship or nothing," for the team that thought his services were needed.
That's the goal for the back-to-back AFC South champs entering Year 3 under DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud. The Texans have won 10-plus games in each of the past two years, but it's accumulated to is pair of divisional round appearances against the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a touchdown-plus loss.
Ryans, who played for Houston in its first-ever playoff games, knows what type of talent is needed to make it to the Super Bowl. He coached it in San Francisco before returning to the Texans in 2023, meaning he too believes Gardner-Johnson's impact is much more than just a name on the roster.
"You're adding a Pro Bowl, All-Pro caliber player with a Super Bowl pedigree who's done it at a high level and brings others along with him. He's a true leader by example and by talking. He does a really great job of motivating guys, getting guys to go.'
Houston's secondary could be the backbone of the roster this fall. Headlined by All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., the Texans' back five have been the talk of training camp after winning most of their one-on-one battles in team drills over the past weeks.
It's not just Stingley, who's locked into a long-term deal through 2030 after becoming the highest-paid cornerback this offseason. Second-year cornerback Kamari Lassiter looks more fluid in coverage and physical near the line of scrimmage. Fellow 2024 draft pick Calen Bullock has made at least one "wow" play in practice each day since pads came on last Monday.
But Gardner-Johnson could be the spark to take them over the top. Jalen Pitre said one can notice a difference in both attitude and ability in practice with No. 23 joining the roster.
"Just to add another guy who's gonna do the same thing is not gonna do anything but continue to uplift us and continue to motivate us. I'm thankful that he's on our team and he's going to continue to motivate, push and inspire all of us, offense and defense. He's for sure a dog."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Astros' Jose Altuve moves into top-three in team history in impressive statistic
Astros' Jose Altuve moves into top-three in team history in impressive statistic originally appeared on The Sporting News The Houston Astros have had some incredible players come through their organization, and currently, one of the franchise icons has been on fire. For Jose Altuve, the 2025 season is his 15th, and he's continued to impress. This season, as referenced by Francys Romero of Altuve moved into third place all-time in extra-base hits in Astros history after his home run against the Miami Marlins. His 728 career extra-base hits, which include 448 doubles, 32 triples, and 248 home runs, surpassed Lance Berkman's 727 extra-base hits. Altuve has 17 doubles, one triple, and 19 home runs this season, with his home run total nearly eclipsing his 2024 season total of 20. The two players ahead of Altuve, Jeff Bagwell at 969 and Craig Biggio at 1,014, are far away from Altuve. It won't be in the 2025 season, nor the 2026 season, even if Altuve is on fire, that he surpasses Bagwell for second all-time. At 35 years old, in year 15, and with four years left after 2025 on his deal, Altuve has a chance to climb higher on this list. He needs another 242 extra-base hits to pass Bagwell, and 287 to take first all-time in Astros history. Altuve has played in 110 of Houston's 114 games this season. With 37 extra-base hits in 110 games, Altuve is on pace to hit 52 extra-base hits in 2025. If he hits that number and notches another 15 extra-base hits, Altuve will need 227 hits to tie Bagwell. MORE: Astros agree to blockbuster trade with Twins for Carlos Correa In such a scenario, Altuve would need to average 56.75 extra-base hits per season, which is possible for him, but it would take great health, good play, and also good luck to reach second place in the Astros' all-time extra-base hits leaderboard. He's also chasing 3,000 career hits, which is a bit more feasible than reaching Bagwell in extra-base hits in Astros history. At 2,351 hits, with four years left, he needs to average roughly 160 hits a season, something he's done frequently in his career. In seasons where he plays at least 100 games, only twice has he finished below 160 hits, with one such season at 158 hits. Both milestones are a ways away, but with the Astros' fan favorite still hitting the ball well in his 15th season, there's reason to believe he could reach both 3,000 hits and Bagwell's 969 extra-base hits. If he does, a legendary career would earn another remarkable chapter. MORE MLB NEWS: Astros trade for 27-year-old left-handed-hitting Marlins outfielder Padres trade Ryan Bergert, Stephen Kolek to Royals for a new catcher Tigers lost out to Mets on trade for Cardinals' Ryan Helsley Padres pull off blockbuster trade for Athletics' Mason Miller Cardinals' trade acquisition shares five-word message with fans Guardians to trade Cy Young starter Shane Bieber to Blue Jays
San Francisco Chronicle
21 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Jen Pawol will be MLB's first female umpire. Here are other women who broke officiating barriers
This weekend, Jen Pawol will make history by becoming the first woman to umpire a Major League Baseball game. She's set to work the series between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves. The 48-year-old from New Jersey has worked spring training games over the last two years and in the minors since 2016. Here's a look at other female officials who were the first on the floor, court or the field in prominent men's leagues. NFL Shannon Eastin became the first female official in NFL history when she was a line judge during a preseason game in August 2012 between the Green Bay Packers and the Chargers, who were then in San Diego. A month later, she became the first woman to be an official in an NFL regular-season game when she worked as the line judge in the Rams-Lions game. Eastin was among the replacement officials hired by the league during a lockout of the regular officials. The first woman to get a full-season job was Sarah Thomas, who was a line judge in 2015. Thomas also became the first woman to work a Super Bowl when she was part of the seven-person crew on Feb. 7, 2021, when Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-9. Thomas was already the first woman to officiate a major college football game — and to work a bowl game. NBA Violet Palmer and Dee Kantner were hired by the National Basketball Association for the 1997 season. Palmer made her NBA debut on Oct. 31, 1997, when she was on the floor for the season opener between the Vancouver Grizzlies and the Dallas Mavericks. Palmer worked that night with Bill Oakes and Mark Wunderlich. Kantner's first game was Nov. 5, 1997, when Atlanta beat Philadelphia 93-88. Kantner worked alongside Ron Garretson and Ed Middleton. Palmer retired in 2016, and Kantner is still officiating women's NCAA basketball. NHL The NHL has yet to have a female on-ice official for a regular season or Stanley Cup playoff game. In the mid-1990s, Heather McDaniel received some national attention for officiating men's minor league games for the Central Hockey League and West Coast Hockey League. Two decades later, the NHL selected four female officials to work on the ice at the 2019 prospect tournaments. Katie Guay and Kelly Cooke served as referees, while Kirsten Welsh and Kendall Hanley worked as linesmen. It marked the first time women have officiated at the pre-training camp prospects tournament level. There was a subtle change made before the 2023-24 season when 'linesmen' became 'linespersons,' with women in the American Hockey League working their way up. Men's World Cup French referee Stéphanie Frappart made history in 2022 by becoming the first woman to be in charge of a men's World Cup match. The game between Germany at Costa Rica was held in Al Khor, Qatar. Men's NCAA tournament Melanie Davis was the first woman to officiate a Division I NCAA men's tournament game when she was on the floor for a first-round matchup between San Diego State and Illinois on March 15, 2002.
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
Teddy Bridgewater Opens Up About Coaching Suspension, 'Excited' For Bucs Opportunity
National Football League Teddy Bridgewater Opens Up About Coaching Suspension, 'Excited' For Bucs Opportunity Published Aug. 6, 2025 5:12 p.m. ET share facebook x reddit link TAMPA, Fla. — Teddy Bridgewater has been here before. In the pre-draft process in 2014, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers brought him in for an official visit, and he still remembers the restaurant they took him to and how he liked the idea of getting back to his home state after playing in college at Louisville. Alas, the Bucs picked at No. 38 and the Minnesota Vikings traded up to No. 32 to grab him, so it never happened. Then in 2020, when Bridgewater was a free agent, the prospect of him signing with the Bucs was close enough "I thought it was a lock," he remembers, but then Tom Brady entered the picture, signed and led Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl championship. On Wednesday morning, the 32-year-old Bridgewater looked back on his first practice as a Bucs quarterback, smiling as he talked about how long it had been coming. "We've been flirting for years," he said. "I'm finally here. So I'm excited, man." Bridgewater's NFL career has come full circle as he enters his 12th season. He had a promising first two years with the Vikings, making the Pro Bowl and making the playoffs in his second year, only to have a torn ACL basically take away the next two years. He's bounced from the New York Jets to the New Orleans Saints to the Carolina Panthers to the Denver Broncos to the Miami Dolphins to the Detroit Lions. While Bridgewater hasn't started a game since 2022, he recently made headlines at his most recent stop. He dabbled in coaching at his high school alma mater, Miami's Northwestern High, but his tenure there came to a pause in July when he was suspended for allegedly giving impermissible benefits to his players. ADVERTISEMENT Bridgewater stood by his actions on Wednesday, saying he provided Uber rides home and meals to players because he was once in their shoes, at the same school in the same bad neighborhood, and wanted to protect them. "Everyone knows that I'm just a cheerful guy, a cheerful giver as well. I'm a protector. I'm a father first before anything," Bridgewater said. "When I decided to coach, those players became my sons and I wanted to make sure I just protect them in the best way I can. Miami Northwestern is in a tough neighborhood, and sometimes things can happen when kids are walking home. "I just tried to protect them, give them a ride home instead of them having to take those dangerous walks," Bridgewater added. "I just want people to continue to see me for the person I've been from the time I arrived in the NFL, from the time I arrived at the University of Louisville, just a humble guy who has a big heart and a cheerful giver." Bridgewater, who will wear No. 16 for the Bucs, wants to keep close tabs on his players at Miami Northwestern, knowing the time commitment of being an NFL player will keep him away, but he'll try to get back when the schedule allows him, thanking them for inspiring him as a player and coach. "It's a great group of kids. They see so much hope when they look at me," he said. "I've always said it's food for my soul." As Bridgewater is looking to continue to serve as a leader for the high school kids he coaches, that leadership is just part of the reason why the Buccaneers recently brought him in. "He brings us a wealth of experience," coach Todd Bowles said on Wednesday. "We think we need some experience in that room. The more experience, the better. He can't do anything but help." The quarterback has personal connections all over his new team. When he was a freshman in high school, Bucs linebacker Lavonte David was a senior, so the two have been friends for half their lives. Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard was a Dolphins assistant when Bridgewater played in Miami in 2022, and as he settled into his hotel room Tuesday night, a knock on the door yielded another familiar face: Bucs defensive line coach Charlie Strong, who was his head coach at Louisville. "Coach Strong was doing room checks last night in the hotel and he knocked on the door. I'm like 'Man, what the hell?'" Bridgewater said. "I said, 'Man, this feels like the University of Louisville all over again.' I thought I was an 18-year-old freshman again. We laughed and were like, 'We just rewound the clock.' It feels great, though." Teddy Bridgewater rejoined the Lions late in the 2024 season, opting to sign a deal after the high school team he coached season's ended. (Photo by) The Bucs have an entrenched starting quarterback in Baker Mayfield, coming off a 41-touchdown season, so Bridgewater's challenge will be trying to unseat fifth-year pro Kyle Trask as the top backup. Stuck behind Brady and Mayfield as two quarterbacks who never come off the field, Trask attempted only 11 passes in four years, so Bridgewater's game experience could be a plus. The third quarterback, Michael Pratt, has yet to practice this year due to a lower-back injury. Bridgewater's recent coaching experience could also give him an edge in the backup quarterback battle. As it turns out, coaching has made him a better quarterback, Bridgewater admitted. He'd never had to think about all 11 players on both sides of the ball, so he's more detailed in his preparation now. He understands what the offensive line is doing, blocking in front of him, and how the defensive front is trying to attack him. So he joins the Bucs as a player, but can help the team like another coach, reaching out even to young players at other positions. "Honestly, I'm just here right now to try to help this team in every way possible, whether it's in the quarterback room, the wide receiver room," Bridgewater said. "There's some young talent in that room and I'm excited to just share some of the wisdom I have, the experience I have from being in different offenses, different teams with guys who have had success at the receiver position. I'm just going to do whatever the role is for me, to try to be a humble servant like I've been doing." Whether Bridgewater sticks on the 53-man roster or on the practice squad or not at all, the Bucs are excited about how he can help their team, if not directly on the field, then indirectly in making those around him better. "Experienced guy, obviously very smart," Bucs general manager Jason Licht said. "Hell of a high school coach, hell of a coach in general. Just a good addition to have that wealth of experience there." Greg Auman is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports. He previously spent a decade covering the Buccaneers for the Tampa Bay Times and The Athletic. You can follow him on Twitter at @gregauman . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! share
