Three games into the 2025 NFL season, the Houston Texans are winless and searching for answers. In a stunning move to shake things up, the team has reportedly released a seven-year NFL veteran from its defense, sending shockwaves through the locker room and leaving fans wondering what went wrong so quickly.
Why Did the Texans Abruptly Release C.J. Gardner-Johnson?
As the NFL calendar turns to Week 4, the Houston Texans may be hitting the panic button. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reports that the team is parting ways with its Super Bowl champion safety, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, in a move that has surprised many around the league.
Sources: The #Texans are releasing S C. J. Gardner-Johnson. A surprise. pic.twitter.com/8hfYC8weCi
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 23, 2025
Gardner-Johnson joined the Texans this offseason with hopes of replicating the Super Bowl-winning campaign he had last season. Instead, his tenure with the new organization ended after just three games.
“Sources: The #Texans are releasing S C.J. Gardner-Johnson. A surprise,” Rapoport stated.
As Gardner-Johnson looks for his next NFL opportunity, questions swirl around Houston. How will the team move forward, and what exactly tarnished the relationship between the player and the organization?
Who Will Fill the Safety Role After Behind-the-Scenes Friction?
Despite playing most of the Texans’ defensive snaps through the first few weeks, Gardner-Johnson has been released. The 5-foot-11 veteran tallied 15 total tackles but recorded zero pass defenses in the three games he started with Houston. His release comes even as the Texans’ defense has shown moments of strength, stifling their three opponents to just 51 total points. In fact, only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have scored 20 or more points against the unit.
However, regardless of the defense’s efforts, Gardner-Johnson and the Texans differed. Texans reporter Aaron Wilson illuminated the situation, revealing that friction behind the scenes was a major factor. Wilson reported that Gardner-Johnson was unhappy with his role on the team.
Sources: #Texans release C.J. Gardner-Johnson after friction behind the scenes with veteran safety, criticism of teammates, complaints about his role, including wanting to blitz more frequently, and a trade request @KPRC2 https://t.co/sH4OmxtMqg https://t.co/tHhsv9UYX3
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 23, 2025
“Sources: #Texans release C.J. Gardner-Johnson after friction behind the scenes with veteran safety, criticism of teammates, complaints about his role, including wanting to blitz more frequently, and a trade request,” Wilson said.
With Gardner-Johnson’s exit, the starting free safety position is now open for contention. Veterans M.J. Stewart and Jimmie Ward are likely candidates to fill the role. Stewart is an eight-year pro currently in his fourth season with Houston. Ward, meanwhile, has yet to play a snap in what will be his 12th NFL season.
Stewart has played in all three games this season, tallying two total tackles in a backup free safety role. On the other hand, Ward, a long-time San Francisco 49er, was recently released from the commissioner’s exempt list. This move occurred after the 34-year-old was no-billed by a Montgomery County grand jury following a domestic violence case. After his reinstatement, the Northern Illinois alumnus was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
As two veterans compete to fill Gardner-Johnson’s vacancy, can Houston rebound after its dreadful start to the season?
