Texans Move on From C.J. Gardner-Johnson ahead of Titans in Town
Poking the Nico Collins bear isn't smart
The Houston Texans moved on from safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson this week. Gardner-Johnson was acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason. He was set to be an integral part of the defense.
Now he’s off the team.
“I wish [Gardner-Johnson] the best,” DeMeco Ryans said. “Unfortunately, we just moved on. For me, every decision I make is always in the best interest of our team. I felt it was the best decision for us to move forward.”
Ryans declined to offer specifics that led to the departure of Gardner-Johnson. He said they didn’t look for a trade for the veteran safety.
If Gardner-Johnson had been excellent, perhaps the team would have made gestures to placate his reportedly poor attitude. He wasn’t, though, and so the Texans moved on.
The veteran safety wasn’t good in his three games as a member of the Texans. He allowed almost every pass directed at him to be completed. He didn’t break up a pass or catch an interception. He allowed a passer rating of 108.3 according to NFL Next Gen Stats. His catch allowed percentage, 75%, was the second-worst on the team.
It might have been shocking to Texans fans that the veteran safety was released. It shouldn’t have shocked the players on the Texans.
“I don’t think it was a surprise,” Ryans said. “If it is, that’s the league. It’s always surprises each and every year in the league. So, if it’s a surprise to them, it’s okay. Everybody will be all right. A quick reset for everybody, refocus on what we need to focus on.”
Gardner-Johnson was a celebrated addition in the offseason. The veteran was good for Philadelphia last season, but the world champions jettisoned him in a trade that netted them little. The Texans were hopeful Gardner-Johnson’s quest for another Super Bowl ring would help their team. Now he’s been released.
Gardner-Johnson constantly mentioned how he had won a Super Bowl with the Eagles. It feels like most conversations included that factoid. He noted he was hoping to win another one. The winless start for the Texans couldn’t have helped the situation at all.
Veteran M.J. Stewart replaced Gardner-Johnson when he was hurt in the preseason. The team has safeties Myles Bryant and Jalen Mills on the practice squad for additional depth at the position. Rookie safety Jaylen Reed can return from injured reserve as early as next week. Jimmie Ward’s return from injury is also on the horizon.
Ryans noted it is part of his purview as the head coach to know what his team needs, especially when it comes to players who might not be in lockstep with the team’s direction.
“It starts with me as a head coach to making sure everybody is on the same page with having a team-first mentality,” he said. “I’ve said that from my opening press conference here, and that’ll always be me. It’ll always be about the team. It’ll never be about one person.”