Texans release veteran safety CJ Gardner-Johnson three games into 2025 season amid reported locker-room friction

The Houston Texans released veteran safety CJ Gardner-Johnson on Wednesday, three games into the 2025 NFL season. The move comes as Houston opened 0-3, with head coach DeMeco Ryans saying persistent communication issues in the defensive backfield had become a concern for the organization. "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."

Gardner-Johnson joined Houston in March as part of a deal that sent former first-round pick Kenyon Green to the Philadelphia Eagles. The trade was viewed as a major shakeup for both clubs, with Houston hoping Gardner-Johnson would help stabilize a young secondary. The Texans’ three losses to start the season provided the backdrop for the decision, and the team announced the release on Wednesday.

In three games with Houston, Gardner-Johnson totaled 15 tackles and was rated 36th among safeties by Pro Football Focus. Multiple reports described him as a disruptive voice behind the scenes, criticising teammates in the secondary, questioning the size of a teammate’s contract, and expressing frustration with his own role. He reportedly wanted to blitz more often and even requested a trade, while frequently drawing comparisons between Houston’s situation and the Eagles’ 2023 Super Bowl-winning team, where he played a key role. The Athletic’s survey last year named him the NFL’s “Most Annoying Player,” with 20 percent of votes.

The departure marks the latest in a string of early-season personnel changes for Houston, which has moved on from Green and other starters from last year’s inconsistent offensive line. Despite the winless start, the Texans’ defense has shown potential, with young players emerging at multiple levels and a belief that the unit can move forward without Gardner-Johnson and avoid further locker-room distractions as they attempt to salvage the season. Gardner-Johnson is now a free agent and will be eligible to sign with any team.