Swifties celebrate as ex-Eagles star CJ Gardner-Johnson is cut by Texans

The Houston Texans released safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson on Tuesday, ending a brief stint that began when the former Eagles standout arrived in a offseason trade. The move comes after a rocky start to the season in Houston and amid ongoing public scrutiny stemming from Gardner-Johnson’s past social-media posts targeting Taylor Swift and her relationship with Travis Kelce.

Gardner-Johnson joined the Texans this offseason after helping Philadelphia win the Super Bowl in February. The Florida native had drawn attention for his public messaging directed at Swift’s fanbase, including appearing at the Eagles’ victory parade in a sweatshirt that referenced Swifties, and for an Instagram story that mocked Kelce and referenced his ex Kayla Nicole. Swift’s fans quickly amplified the attention online, with supporters framing the incident as karma for the pop star’s boyfriend’s social-media activity. The release removes a player who had been a focal point of a broader, often polarizing debate surrounding the intersection of sports and celebrity culture.

In Houston, Gardner-Johnson was expected to bring veteran experience to a defense that has shown flashes but struggled with consistency in coverage and communication. ESPN confirmed that through the first three games of the season he endured several breakdowns that directly led to touchdowns for opponents. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said the unit’s issues traced back to miscommunications, emphasizing that cleaner communication would be foundational to any fix. "When you see a big play that happens on our defense, somewhere along the lines, there’s a bust in communication," Ryans said. "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."

Behind the scenes, Gardner-Johnson had been described as a disruptive voice within Houston’s secondary, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. The notes indicate he criticized teammates, questioned the size of a contract for a teammate, and expressed dissatisfaction with his own role. Reports also suggested he preferred more blitz opportunities and even entertained a trade, while frequently drawing comparisons between Houston’s current situation and Philadelphia’s 2023 Super Bowl-winning run, where he played a key role. Those dynamics, combined with on-field underperformance, contributed to the team’s decision to release him less than six months after acquiring him.

Gardner-Johnson previously spent time in Philadelphia, where he shared the field with Jason Kelce, Travis Kelce’s brother. Taylor Swift, who recently became engaged to Travis Kelce, has not publicly weighed in on Gardner-Johnson’s departure. Swift’s followers continued to engage online, with supporters celebrating the release as part of a broader narrative surrounding the pop star’s public life and its crossover with football.

The Texans’ move reflects a broader effort to stabilize a defense that has faced challenges this season. Houston officials indicated that while roster turnover is not uncommon, the goal is to improve communication and on-field cohesion as the season progresses. The decision also underscores how teams weigh a player’s impact beyond raw statistics, considering locker-room dynamics and public sentiment in a highly scrutinized environment.

For Gardner-Johnson, the immediate next steps remain unclear. With the NFL window for potential signings open, several teams may consider adding a veteran defensive back who has played at a high level in big-game environments. The broader public discussion surrounding the incident—particularly among Swift’s fanbase and social-media spectators—highlights how off-field matters can influence, or at least color, perceptions of a player’s professional trajectory. Swift herself has not issued a public comment related to the latest development.