It has been a wild month for C.J. Gardner-Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles. After winning a Super Bowl in New Orleans, Gardner-Johnson quickly became a fan favorite. However, a public spat with Darius Slay Jr. on X didn’t do him any favors. From there, Gardner-Johnson even started acting like a general manager on social media.
Ultimately, the Eagles decided they were better off without him, pulling off a major trade with the Houston Texans to part ways with the safety.
Philadelphia Eagles Part Ways With Pseudo-GM C.J. Gardner-Johnson
The news broke on the second day of free agency, courtesy of the ever-reliable Adam Schefter. Taking to X, Schefter shared details of the trade as both the Texans and Eagles kept making moves in a busy offseason.
“Another Texans trade: Houston is acquiring veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson from the Eagles in exchange for former first-round pick Kenyon Green, per @Djbienaime and me. Trade includes a pick swap with the Eagles getting a 2026 5th-round pick and the Texans getting a 2026 6th.”
It’s the second time in two years that Gardner-Johnson has been on his way out of Philadelphia. Just a year ago, he returned to the team after spending 2023 with the Detroit Lions.
Over his two stints with the Eagles, the defense has been one of the league’s best. According to PFSN’s Defense+ metric, Philadelphia ranked sixth in 2022 and second this season. However, their performance dropped dramatically in 2023, with the defense finishing 30th in the NFL.
Another Texans trade: Houston is acquiring veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson from the Eagles in exchange for former first-round pick Kenyon Green, per @Djbienaime and me. Trade includes a pick swap with the Eagles getting a 2026 5th-round pick and the Texans getting a 2026 6th. pic.twitter.com/15iPCdXmGA
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2025
Last season, Gardner-Johnson was elite in coverage, defending the second-most passes among all safeties with 12. In addition, his two years with the Eagles have been his most productive as a ball hawk, recording 12 interceptions — doubling the six he had in his other four seasons combined.
Despite his strong production, Gardner-Johnson’s presence on X may have contributed to his exit. After Slay’s infamous podcast clip where he didn’t mention Gardner-Johnson as a leader, the Eagles’ safety was clearly frustrated.
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Slay mentioned Reed Blankenship or a potential new veteran joining the squad as leadership options if he left. But with Gardner-Johnson excluded from the conversation, he fired back with a since-deleted response on X.
“If we need a vet that played a lot to help us sheesh didn’t learn from the last mistake,” Gardner-Johnson wrote.
Then, he went further, breaking down the roster and arguing there was no need to add a veteran — seemingly sending a message to general manager Howie Roseman.
“Vet presence is always needed don’t get me wrong! But bro what ‘Vet’ is needed when young guys can hold their own (Q&Coop) and you got a crazy duo with Reed and Me?! And the supporting cast (Ringo, Zay, Andre Sam, Eli, Sydney, Tristin) stay with the youth u ask me!!” Gardner-Johnson wrote.
Unfortunately for Gardner-Johnson, his advice didn’t shape the Eagles’ plans, and now he’s on the outside looking in. Lane Johnson seemingly reacted to the trade on X, simply posting, “Howie SZN,” along with an eye emoji.
Gardner-Johnson should be a key addition to a Houston defense that made major strides last season. However, leaving the reigning champions, a team he was visibly invested in, has to be a tough blow for the 27-year-old.
Emmanuel Acho Concerned After Philly Loses ‘Enforcer’
The following was written by PFSN’s Michael Greger in “Former NFL Linebacker Warns That He’s ‘Worried’ About Eagles’ Defense After ‘Gigantic Loss’ of ‘Enforcer’“
Speaking on FS1’s The Facility, former linebacker Emmanuel Acho believes the Eagles suffered a “gigantic loss” on the backend of their defense. They have no one currently on the roster to replace Gardner-Johnson’s spunk.
.@EmmanuelAcho calls losing C.J. Gardner-Johnson a "gigantic loss" for the Eagles:
"He is that dude…I have to be worried about the Eagles defensively right now." pic.twitter.com/69xfWBJWfk
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) March 11, 2025
“I got to be worried about the Eagles defensively right now because of what I call him. I call him an enforcer,” Acho said. “I don’t know Chauncey Gardner-Johnson off the field, but I know everybody, every team, on the field, you need a bad dude …
“A dude that at any given point may get thrown out the game. He might get thrown out the game. And that’s okay. And Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, he is that dude, and every team has him. The Eagles don’t have that at linebacker. Zack Baun is a really good player, but Zack Baun is not an enforcer.”
Swifties Clap Back at Gardner-Johnson After Super Bowl Troll
The following was written by PFSN’s Richard Janvrin in “‘Karma Is Tay’s Boyfriend’ — Swifties Love That Eagles Traded C.J. Gardner-Johnson After Taylor Swift Disrespect“
The Philadelphia Eagles traded safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans in a deal that involved left guard Kenyon Green, and no one seems happier about the move than Taylor Swift fans.
Numerous fans took to X to let their feelings be known about Gardner-Johnson: “The Eagles probably traded CJ Gardner-Johnson partly because of the Taylor Swift thing. Let’s not lie here,” on user said.
“Didn’t know who CJGJ was until he showed his a** during the Super Bowl win and now he’s being traded to the Houston Texas karma is Tay’s boyfriend,” someone else said, equipped with multiple laughing face emojis and a reference to Swift’s lyrics.
Someone else opined that Jason Kelce, Travis’ brother and an Eagles legend, had something to do with the deal: “I think Kelce is behind it. I think the way CJ disrespected Travis & Taylor. Jason got in Howie’s ear. Something ain’t right about this.”
I think Kelce is behind it. I think the way CJ disrespected Travis & Taylor. Jason got in Howie’s ear. Something ain’t right about this. 🤬😤😂 #FlyEaglesFly #NFL #eaglesnation
— J.R. Willis (@shrewd773) March 11, 2025
“Taylor Swift somehow worked her magic to get CJ Gardner-Johnson traded out of Philly after that parade shirt,” someone said, referring to the shirt Gardner-Johnson wore at the Super Bowl parade that had an NSFW message to Swift.
People need to Learn how to Seperate business and personal stuff. This loss will be felt in the Defense. I don’t care what people say in their personal beefs as long as your play on the Field is 100%
Should’ve kept his big mouth shut, but too full of his own self importance to do so. Starting Twitter wars with other players, brothers of beloved ex players and their girlfriend and her army of fans was a very bad move. Ego is his biggest enemy and I doubt he’ll learn any lessons.