'I feel highly disrespected' – C.J. Gardner-Johnson reveals his true feelings over Eagles trade
Many were surprised when the Philadelphia Eagles traded safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans in exchange for guard Kenyon Green and draft picks, including Gardner-Johnson himself, who initially thought it was an April Fool’s prank. While he first chalked it up to being “just business,” Gardner-Johnson has since had time to reflect and recently […]
Many were surprised when the Philadelphia Eagles traded safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans in exchange for guard Kenyon Green and draft picks, including Gardner-Johnson himself, who initially thought it was an April Fool’s prank.
While he first chalked it up to being “just business,” Gardner-Johnson has since had time to reflect and recently opened up about how he truly feels about the move.
"I feel highly disrespected, but it's a business," Gardner-Johnson told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. "Never was an All-Pro or Pro Bowl! Never! Led the league in interceptions. What more do you want?
"People say, 'He's a hazard, he's this, he's that.' I never been no hazard, bro. They got no real issues on me. That black ball ain't going to work on me, because I got me a ring. I got me one. I got three more championships in me. I'm probably going to win the next three. I'm going to get me another Super Bowl this year. Just watch."
Gardner-Johnson now has a chance to show the Eagles they made a mistake by letting him go.
In addition to parting ways with Gardner-Johnson, the Eagles saw several key contributors leave in free agency. Mekhi Becton, Josh Sweat, and Milton Williams all landed bigger contracts with other teams, while Philadelphia focused its resources on extending running back Saquon Barkley, linebacker Zack Baun, and offensive tackle Lane Johnson. Gardner-Johnson, meanwhile, claims he was never looking for money.
"It wasn't about money," Gardner-Johnson said. "If it was about money, everybody would have been gone. How can I say this the most respectful way? Saquon deserved it. Zack deserved it, but the reasons behind it, the fans don't deserve that reason.
"It's deeper than that. The fans don't deserve, 'It's about the money,' because if that was the case, my contract was safe."
Though his departure may have stung, Gardner-Johnson is far from finished as he heads into his seventh NFL season. He’s still playing at a high level, having led the Eagles with six interceptions in 2024. Over his six-year career, CJGJ has totaled 18 interceptions, 51 pass breakups, and 304 tackles, proving he’s still a playmaker in the secondary.
