Latest news with #C.J.Gardner-Johnson
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report: C.J. Gardner-Johnson will participate in Texans' mandatory minicamp
Texans defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson reported to the team facility Monday ahead of Tuesday's start of a two-day mandatory minicamp, Aaron Wilson of KPRC reports. Gardner-Johnson, who the Eagles traded to the Texans this offseason, skipped the team's voluntary offseason workouts to train on his own with his personal trainer. Advertisement 'I've really been like to myself," Gardner-Johnson told Wilson. "The week I was there, it was very, very closer than places I've been before. Because this is a brand-new organization, trying to be the first team to put a bull on the ring. I had to step back. I'm too much sometimes. I think coming off a Super Bowl, it's a little too much for guys who feel like they're at the top of their profession right now because of who they are. That's respectable. So, we had to step back and then start to humble up, because now I'm at the bottom of the mountain with a team that's never been to the top. So, I can't bring the top of the mountain to the bottom of the mountain. I can't do that. It's like an avalanche. I don't want to cause a cluster---.' Gardner-Johnson, 27, led the league in interceptions in 2022 with six and has 18 in his six-year career. He spent three seasons in New Orleans and was with the Eagles in 2022 and 2024 after a one-year stint in Detroit in 2023 that didn't go well. The trade from the Eagles took him by surprise. "I feel highly disrespected, but it's a business," Gardner-Johnson said. "'Never was an All-Pro or Pro Bowl! Never!' [I] led the league in interceptions. What more do you want? Advertisement "People say, 'He's a hazard. He's this. He's that.' I never been no hazard, bro. They got no real issues on me. That black ball ain't going to work on me, because I got me a ring. I got me one. I got three more championships in me. I'm probably going to win the next three. I'm going to get me another Super Bowl this year. Just watch." The Texans have never made the AFC Championship Game, but they won the AFC South and a playoff game each of the past two seasons.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans newcomer C.J. Gardner-Johnson named top 15 safety for 2025 season
Texans newcomer C.J. Gardner-Johnson named top 15 safety for 2025 season C.J. Gardner-Johnson might be new to the Houston Texans, but he's well-versed in seeing his name on Pro Football Focus' list among safeties. Gardner-Johnson, who was acquired by the Texans earlier this offseason from the Philadelphia Eagles, came in at No. 13 on PFF's top 32 safeties list. Despite being a newcomer in H-Town, his ability to make plays on the football and force incompletions will come in handy for DeMeco Ryans' defense this fall. "Gardner-Johnson put together the best season of his career in 2024 — and not just because he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy with the Eagles," PFF's Zoltán Buday wrote. "His 1,170 snaps were a career high, as was his 77.0 PFF overall grade that ranked 14th among safeties. The now-Texan's 85.7 PFF coverage grade last season placed sixth among 96 qualifying safeties." Acquired in exchange for offensive lineman Kenyon Green and a Day 3 pick, Gardner-Johnson is supposed to be the missing piece to a secondary that ranked top 10 in takeaways and coverage last season. He's been consistent in coverage, totaling 11 interceptions during his last two stints with the Eagles. While the Texans should feel content at the cornerback position after an All-Pro season from Derek Stingley Jr., they need stability at safety. Rookie Calen Bullock still has room to improve and Jimmie Ward has dealt with two season-ending injuries since his arrival in 2023. The Texans also need a culture-changer in the locker room to promote that 'SWARM' mentality Ryans preaches. In a brief time, Gardner-Johnson has carried that mantle with grace. "He's one hell of a ball player," cornerback Kamari Lassiter said on Tuesday following OTAs. "He really understands the game. He's played for a long time and he comes with his own energy. He just comes with his own passion and it affects the players around him. You can see, just watching this film, how his energy and how he talks and how he plays the game, it affects people around him, whether it's on the opposite side of the ball or whether it's on his side of the ball.' The Texans open the season against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 7.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
CJ Gardner-Johnson Claps Back at Eagles Coach's Comments
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. For the second time in a few years, the Philadelphia Eagles are facing backlash from their former star safety, CJ Gardner-Johnson. The veteran safety recently voiced his frustrations on social media after hearing his former defensive coordinator discuss the offseason trade that sent shockwaves across Philly. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio told reporters he was "fine" with the reasoning behind the trade. According to Fangio, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman moved Gardner-Johnson for salary cap purposes. On Wednesday, Gardner-Johnson took to social media to clap back. Clearly, the veteran safety feels like there was another reason behind the deal—and he's not a fan of the public messaging. C.J. Gardner-Johnson #8 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after breaking up a pass in the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New... C.J. Gardner-Johnson #8 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after breaking up a pass in the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana More"I was a test dummy for them," Gardner-Johnson wrote on Instagram. "So, now they can be like my 'scheme' work, or did my skill set make it work?" I had zero issues. [People] had issues with me. So, yeah, let the salary cap be the 'excuse.'" 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Former #Eagles S CJ Gardner Johnson says he was a 'test dummy' for the Eagles. 'Just don't do them young guys like yall did me. You can't program a dog 💯' — JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) June 4, 2025 Since his first stint in Philadelphia, Gardner-Johnson was recognized as one of the most outspoken players in the organization. When the Eagles landed Gardner-Johnson the first time around, he was traded by the New Orleans Saints after spending his first three seasons there. Gardner-Johnson appeared in 12 games in 2022, registering a career-high 67 tackles and leading the league with six interceptions. The veteran safety was a helping hand in getting the Eagles to the Super Bowl in 2023. During that offseason, Gardner-Johnson hit the free agency market and inked a one-year deal to join the Detroit Lions. When he left the Eagles for the Lions, Gardner-Johnson publicly made it clear that he wanted to return to Philadelphia, but contract discussions did not go as he had hoped. After one season in Detroit, Gardner-Johnson made his way back to Philadelphia. He signed a three-year deal with the Eagles. The deal was for a reported $27 million, with $10 million guaranteed. Despite signing a long-term deal with the Eagles, Gardner-Johnson's stint in Philly will be capped at one season again. After helping a successful secondary win the Super Bowl, Johnson found himself included in a deal that sent him to the Houston Texans. The Eagles received the lineman Kenyon Green, along with a 2025 fifth-round pick. It's unclear what truly went into the decision to move off of Gardner-Johnson for the second time in three years. Both sides have a different perspective. Either way, Gardner-Johnson has made it clear that he was fond of his time in Philadelphia, even though he seems frustrated with the way it ended once again.
New York Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
C.J. Gardner-Johnson trashes Eagles for trading him
C.J. Gardner-Johnson initially said there was 'no bad blood' with the Eagles after Philadelphia traded the defensive back to the Texans in March. However, it seems things have changed since then, as the safety clapped back at a comment Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio made Tuesday about the team's decision to trade him to Houston. 'That was a salary cap type thing. … I was fine with it,' Fangio said when asked about the trade at Eagles OTAs. Gardner-Johnson — who signed a three-year, $27 million deal with Philadelphia last March — re-shared a graphic of Fangio's quote to his Instagram Story on Wednesday, and wrote, 'Just don't do them young guys like y'all did me.' He also included a 100 emoji and a flexed bicep emoji. 4 C.J. Gardner-Johnson said Philadelphia traded the defensive back to the Texans in March. Instagram/C.J. Gardner-Johnson 'I was a test dummy for them,' Gardner-Johnson, 27, wrote in a since-expired Instagram Story. 'So now they can be like my 'scheme' work, or did my skill set make it work. 'I had 0 issues. [People] had issues with me. So yeah let the salary cap be the 'excuse.'' Fangio added Tuesday that Eagles GM Howie Roseman made the decision to trade Gardner-Johnson, who won his first Super Bowl with Philadelphia in February when they routed the Chiefs, 40-22. 4 Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio speaks during a news conference June 3. AP 4 C.J. Gardner-Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after beating the Kansas City Chiefs to win Super Bowl 2025 at Caesars Superdome on Feb. 9. Getty Images Gardner-Johnson had a strong campaign last season, tallying six interceptions with one returned for a touchdown, 12 pass breakups, one forced fumble and 59 tackles. The Eagles traded him to the Texans for former first-round guard Kenyon Green and a 2026 fifth-round pick. Houston netted Gardner-Johnson and a 2026 sixth-rounder. 4 JuJu Smith-Schuster of the Kansas City Chiefs gets tackled by C.J. Gardner-Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter during Super Bowl 2025 at Caesars Superdome on February 9, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Getty Images At the time, Gardner-Johnson said he had an honest conversation with the Eagles on his way out, adding that he thought the trade was an April Fool's joke. 'It was an amazing phone call to be all the way thorough,' Gardner-Johnson said in a livestream video. 'The situation is, them young guys just gotta get paid in Philly, [defensive tackle] Jalen Carter, [safety] Reed [Blankenship] and [linebacker] Zack [Baun]… Me getting older, I understand. There was no bad blood. '… All I asked them was like, between me and y'all, I told them, I just want to go somewhere where I can go play winning football. I didn't ask for a specific place. … I want to play winning football. I woke up the next day and and boom there it is, we in Houston.' His departure came after a slew of offseason moves from the reigning Super Bowl champs. In 2024, Gardner-Johnson was voted the most annoying player in The Athletic's anonymous NFL player poll after he was crowned the 'biggest trash talker' in their 2023 poll. The Eagles and Texans do not meet in the regular season in 2025.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texans' C.J. Gardner-Johnson Sounds Off on Eagles DC Vic Fangio's Comments
Texans' C.J. Gardner-Johnson Sounds Off on Eagles DC Vic Fangio's Comments originally appeared on Athlon Sports. A day after Eagles Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio made comments regarding the C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade decision, the Houston Texans' new defensive back took to social media to sound off. Advertisement In March, the Eagles made a stunning move when they traded safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Texans for offensive guard Kenyon Green and a 2026 fifth-round pick. Tuesday, when asked about the trade, Fangio referred to it as "a salary cap thing." "Howie (Roseman, Eagles GM) made that decision. I was fine with it,' he added. Wednesday, Gardner-Johnson clapped back at his former coordinator via an Instagram story. "Just don't do them young guys like yall Did me," Gardner-Johnson posted, including a 100 emoji and a flexed bicep emoji. He quickly added to his story, since deleted, describing how he felt exploited by the Eagles and denied being the problem. Advertisement "I was a test dummy for them, so now they can be like my 'scheme' work, or did my skill set make it work." he said. "I had 0 issues, Ppl had issues with me. So Yeah, let the salary cap be the "excuse."" Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson celebratesMark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images After signing a three-year, $27 million deal with Philadelphia in 2024, Gardner-Johnson recorded six interceptions, 12 pass breakups and 59 tackles in route to winning a Super Bowl with the Eagles. The 27-year-old joins a Texans secondary this season loaded with talent, including cornerbacks Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter, and free safety Calen Bullock. The response by Gardner-Johnson to , however, is not surprising. Advertisement He's developed a reputation for being very outspoken throughout the course of his NFL career. In 2024, he was voted the league's most annoying player in The Athletics Anonymous NFL Player Poll, and was voted the NFL's biggest trash talker in the publications same survey in 2023. Related: Trade Suggestion Boosts Houston Texans in Vulnerable Area Related: Houston Texans Star Defender Earns Eye-Popping Ranking This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
