CJ Gardner-Johnson claims Texans cut him over fight with GM’s friend

The 2025-26 campaign was a weird one for CJ Gardner-Johnson, as the seven-year pro joined the Houston Texans before the start of the season after the front office traded for him from the Philadelphia Eagles. However, after just three games into the season, Houston surprisingly cut him from the roster.

At the time, the organization claimed that the 28-year-old safety struggled to learn the defensive scheme put forth by head coach Demeco Ryans. He was also accused of taking responsibility for mistakes and not meshing well with other players on the roster. At the time, it was reported that Gardner-Johnson essentially annoyed the Texans by complaining about his role, requesting trades, and criticizing teammates and their contracts.

However, nearly a year later, after signing a one-year, $3.5 million contract with incentives that could bring it up to $6 million with the Buffalo Bills, CJ Gardner-Johnson states that the story about his time in Houston is completely false, according to Tim Graham of The Athletic. Gardner-Johnson shared his side of the story, claiming that the Texans released him after he got in an argument with a friend of general manager Nick Caserio.

“That’s a lie,” said Gardner-Johnson about the Texans’ reasons for cutting him. “I never said s*** about nobody’s contract. I’m on a $33 million deal. Why the f*** would I talk about somebody’s contract? … If y’all going to cut me, cut me. But I’ll give nobody reasons to cut me. I haven’t. I don’t. I’m not a cancer. There’s nobody in this locker room that says, ‘Chauncey’s a problem.’ The media loves me.

“The only thing that’ll do it is something that triggers somebody that has a say in the building that can alter somebody else’s mind,” continued Gardner-Johnson. “That happens every time. That’s how I got (cut) in Houston. One person that’s not technically a part of the organization called me a B-word at Greenbrier. I get out my body; he says something to the GM, and the next thing I’m cut.”

Graham also reported in his piece for The Athletic that the Texans declined to comment on CJ Gardner-Johnson’s claims. In this moment, it is a he-said, they-said situation.

After being cut by the Texans, Gardner-Johnson almost immediately signed with the Chicago Bears and proved to be a valuable asset for the club’s defense. In 10 games played with the Bears (seven starts), he recorded 51 combined tackles (35 solo), three sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.

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