Texans part ways with C.J. Gardner-Johnson amid role dissatisfaction and trade request
The Houston Texans have officially released safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, a move that comes on the heels of reported dissatisfaction regarding his role within the team. This development, first reported Tuesday afternoon, has now been further illuminated by insider Aaron Wilson of Click2Houston.com.
Role Friction and Requests for Change
According to Wilson, Gardner-Johnson’s discontent stemmed from his desire for a more aggressive role, particularly wanting to blitz more frequently. This frustration reportedly created “friction behind the scenes,” leading to communication from Gardner-Johnson expressing his desire to be traded if his situation did not improve.
The Texans’ decision to cut ties with Gardner-Johnson reflects a broader issue of alignment between the player and the team’s defensive strategy. “Texans released C.J. Gardner-Johnson after friction behind the scenes with him complaining about his role, wanting to blitz more, per league sources, and even communicating that he wanted to be traded,” Wilson reported. “It didn’t work out for him here. M.J. Stewart next man up expected.”
Snap Count Not the Issue
Despite Gardner-Johnson’s concerns, his playing time had been substantial. The veteran safety logged 96% of the team’s snaps in the first three games of the season, including a remarkable 65 out of 70 snaps in Week 3. This high snap count indicates that the issue did not lie in his on-field opportunities but rather in how he was utilized in the defensive scheme.
Rapid Turnaround for the Texans
The timing of Gardner-Johnson’s release is striking, considering the Texans had recently restructured $6.58 million of his salary into a signing bonus. This financial move had suggested that the team was planning to integrate him more deeply into their defensive plans. The swift change of course signals a significant shift in the team’s strategy and roster dynamics.
Gardner-Johnson, who joined the Texans from the Philadelphia Eagles in March, now enters free agency where he is expected to attract interest from multiple teams. However, his volatile nature and recent discontent may cause some franchises to proceed with caution.
Looking Ahead for the Texans
As the Texans navigate this transition, they will aim to regroup ahead of their Week 4 matchup. The team is in search of its first victory of the season, which has thus far been marked by struggles. The absence of Gardner-Johnson will require the Texans to adjust their defensive strategy as they hope to turn their fortunes around in the coming games.
