CJ Gardner-Johnson has been released from the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad just a week after being signed, following his initial departure from the Houston Texans. It’s been a tumultuous year for Gardner-Johnson, who celebrated a Super Bowl victory with the Philadelphia Eagles in February. The 27-year-old then found himself at odds with Taylor Swift’s fans, before being traded to the Texans shortly afterwards.
In exchange for Gardner-Johnson, Houston sent guard Kenyon Green and a 2025 fifth-round draft pick. The safety played in the first three games of the season but was let go on September 23, picked up by the Ravens on October 7, and is now a free agent.
According to Gardner-Johnson’s representative, Kevin Conner, his release from the Ravens was “an amicable mutual decision.” Conner told ESPN: “After the Ravens traded for a safety, we were looking for a clearer path to play.”
Gardner-Johnson’s prospects of playing for Baltimore diminished on the day he joined the practice squad. The Ravens acquired safety Alohi Gilman in a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers, and he started in Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
While Gilman started, Gardner-Johnson was not promoted, and the safety is now seeking his fourth NFL team this year. The Texans had hoped Gardner-Johnson would bolster their secondary when they traded for him earlier this year, but the move didn’t pan out as expected.
Gardner-Johnson, who had six interceptions last season and was a crucial part of the championship-winning Eagles roster, struggled to adapt to DeMeco Ryans’ style, leading to Houston’s 0-3 start to the season.
Following Gardner-Johnson’s departure, the Texans managed to shut out the Tennessee Titans with a 26-0 victory and triumphed over the Ravens 44-10 on Sunday. Ryans didn’t clarify why Gardner-Johnson was let go, but conceded that communication within the secondary was lacking.
“It hasn’t been great,” Ryans admitted. “When you see a big play that happens on our defence, somewhere along the lines, there’s a bust in communication.
“It all starts with communication, and it hasn’t been as crisp as it needs to be. We see that. We have to make some adjustments there to make sure we get it corrected.”
Gardner-Johnson is now awaiting his next opportunity, with rumours suggesting a potential return to the Eagles. Andrew Mubuka and Reed Blankenship haven’t performed as well this season, and Gardner-Johnson is already familiar with Philadelphia’s system.
The Eagles signed Gardner-Johnson to a three-year, £27 million contract, including £10 million guaranteed, in March 2024. When the Texans acquired him this past offseason, they took on the remaining contract.
Upon releasing Gardner-Johnson in September, Houston was obliged to pay his contract in full. Gardner-Johnson may need to sign a budget deal to secure a spot on another roster this season.