C.J. Gardner-Johnson has an explanation for why he was suddenly cut by the Texans in September.
In an interview with The Athletic published Friday, the 28-year-old safety said it all started in training camp when he supposedly clashed with “the GM’s friend.”
“If y’all going to cut me, cut me,” Gardner-Johnson said. “But I’ll give nobody reasons to cut me. I haven’t. I don’t. I’m not a cancer. There’s nobody in this locker room that says, ‘Chauncey’s a problem.’ The media loves me. The only thing that’ll do it is something that triggers somebody that has a say in the building that can alter somebody else’s mind. That happens every time.
“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. I get out my body; he says something to the GM, and the next thing I’m cut.”
The Texans acquired Gardner-Johnson in a trade with the Eagles, who were coming off a Super Bowl victory, in March 2025, but let him go after just three games in Houston.
At the time, Texans beat writer Aaron Wilson for KPRC 2 reported that he was released “after friction behind the scenes,” including “complaining about his role, wanting to blitz more … and even communicating that he wanted to be traded.”
“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,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said of the decision.
“There’s really nothing more to it. I’m not trying to oversimplify it, but that’s the reality of the situation. Certainly wish him well. Good to work with. In the end, that’s the decision that we made, and moved ahead.”
Gardner-Johnson would join the Ravens’ practice squad, where he would last one week, before catching on with the Bears through the rest of the season.
In March, he signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Bills.
