
C.J. Gardner-Johnson was traded to the Houston Texans merely a month after contributing to the Philadelphia Eagles winning Super Bowl LIX. Many viewed this shift as a salary cap clearance, yet Gardner perceived it differently. He elaborated on his viewpoint in a podcast episode of “The Pivot”, contending that the Eagles’ decision stemmed not from financial motives but out of fear.
“Scared of a competitor,” Gardner-Johnson stated. “Simple as that… You can’t program a dawg.”
He referenced an incident during a Week 16 game against the Washington Commanders, where he received an ejection for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties; a move that follows league regulations for disqualification. Gardner-Johnson insinuated that this game moment, combined with an intense practice session that happened in the playoffs, might have altered the organization’s perspective on him.
“We had a little scrum at practice,” Gardner-Johnson recalled. “Nothing, just offense versus defense, but who’s the culprit? Me. I guess because we’re competing. You tell me the period is live; you tell us not to compete during a live period, but it’s a live period as we prepare for a playoff game?”
Despite the challenges, Gardner-Johnson confirmed that the neighbors within his locker room had never posed issues—only the higher management.
“You want me to be a leader and outspoken, but then you want me to sit back. Please show me any locker room where I faced issues with teammates.”
In March 2024, Gardner-Johnson secured a three-year, $27 million contract with the Eagles, marking his return to the squad that he assisted in appearing in Super Bowl LVII. He played every game for Philadelphia in the previous season, tallying 59 tackles and matching his career-best performance of six interceptions.
Philadelphia’s General Manager Howie Roseman commented on the trade during the NFL’s annual meeting in March, describing it as a difficult choice made with the long-term team strategy in sight, aimed at enhancing roster flexibility.