C.J. Gardner-Johnson wants his revenge on the Texans after he claims they lied about his release.
The boisterous defensive back was controversially released by the Texans in Week 3 last season after a reported sideline altercation made its way into the locker room.
Gardner-Johnson, who claims the altercation was made up, will now have a chance at vengeance when his new team, the Bills, face off with the Texans in Week 1.
“It’s a good team. Not saying nothing to the front office or the staff, but the players … they are good,” Gardner-Johnson said to reporters during training camp.
“All the bulls–t that came out, it was lies, but whatever. I just can’t wait to see ’em.”
Gardner-Johnson was released after a loss to the Jaguars pushed the Texans to 0-3 and reports came out that the defensive back caused a sideline confrontation that continued into the locker room.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said at the time that it was in the best interest of the team to release the 28-year-old because he was not fitting well in the locker room.
“They released me because I wasn’t jelling with the team and I didn’t fit well,” Gardner-Johnson said. “Well, why the hell didn’t the coach spoke up about it? … After the loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, they decided I didn’t fit well. We was already starting 0-3, so how can it possibly be on one person?”
Gardner-Johnson has been adamant throughout the offseason that he isn’t a “cancer in the locker room.”
In June, he cited his two Super Bowl runs with the Eagles and the Lions’ NFC title game appearance as proof.
The defensive back also claimed the reason for getting cut links back to an incident during training camp with a close friend of Texans general manager Nick Caserio in 2025.
“That’s how I got (cut) in Houston. One person that’s not technically a part of the organization called me a B-word at Greenbrier,” Gardner-Johnson told The Athletic. “I get out my body; he says something to the GM, and the next thing I’m cut.”
At the time of his release, Gardner-Johnson had 15 tackles. He would later join the Bears to finish out the 2026 season, recording 51 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions, and a forced fumble in 10 games.
In March Gardner-Johnson joined the Bills on a one-year deal worth up to $6 million.
