CJ Gardner-Johnson's Trade Fallout Sparks Viral NFL Drama

When CJ Gardner-Johnson was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Houston Texans in March 2025, it came just weeks after helping Philadelphia secure a Super Bowl LIX victory, reports Sportskeeda. His sudden departure drew attention not only for its timing, but also for the emotional and public responses that followed.

Speaking on the Pivot podcast, Gardner-Johnson said he had been focused on building something long-term in Philadelphia. 'I was trying to make history there', he said, adding that he had relocated his family and children, only to be told he was leaving. 'These people phoned my kids... you're playing with my kids, my family', he said. The safety made it clear that the decision left him stunned, describing himself as confused and reluctant to report to Houston's facility in the days following the trade.

Eagles Say It's About Cap Space

The Eagles' front office offered their rationale shortly after the trade, reports Newsweek. General manager Howie Roseman cited salary cap constraints and the need to secure long-term deals for younger players as a primary reason for the move. Gardner-Johnson had signed a three-year, $27 million contract just the year before.

Roseman noted the team had eight players earning $15 million or more, and that several recent draftees, including Jalen Carter, Reed Blankenship and Jordan Davis, were due for extensions. Gardner-Johnson himself acknowledged this in an earlier livestream, saying that the younger players 'deserve it' and that there was 'no bad blood'.

Despite this, Gardner-Johnson's reaction online was more pointed. After Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio referred to the trade as a 'salary cap-type thing', Gardner-Johnson responded on social media, reports MSN. He called himself a 'test dummy' and suggested the team had been testing whether the scheme worked, or whether his skillset was the reason for success.

Emotional Fallout and Public Clarification

In a separate Instagram Live session, Gardner-Johnson initially said the Eagles 'probably won't see a ring without me'. He later walked back those remarks, saying on the Pivot podcast: 'I got nothing against them. If they win six more rings without me, they deserve it'.

During his two seasons in Philadelphia, CJ Gardner-Johnson recorded 126 tackles, 12 interceptions and 20 pass breakups. His presence coincided with a major swing in defensive performance. In 2023, the Eagles' defence ranked 30th in opponent points per game. In 2024, with Gardner-Johnson back in the lineup, they led the league in that category.

Malik Nabers Rumour Denied

Gardner-Johnson also recently addressed a viral rumour involving New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers. His ex-girlfriend, Summer Bunni, alleged via social media that he had made threats toward Nabers, reports Sportskeeda.

In response, Gardner-Johnson said: 'This is false news... We do not even know each other'. He added that there had been no issue between him and Nabers on or off the field. The origin of the rumour, according to Gardner-Johnson, involved a music producer, not a real conflict between players.

Looking Ahead in Houston

Now with the Texans, Gardner-Johnson is preparing for his first season in Houston after two stints with Philadelphia and one with Detroit. While off-field attention has followed him throughout the offseason, focus is now shifting back to his on-field contributions.

The Texans acquired him in exchange for guard Kenyon Green and a future fifth-round pick. Gardner-Johnson stated he had only one request before the trade: that he be sent to a team with a winning mindset.

As the 2025 season approaches, CJ Gardner-Johnson enters training camp aiming to move past the headlines and re-establish himself as one of the league's top defensive players — this time, in Houston.