To suggest that there is some bad blood between veteran defender C.J. Gardner-Johnson and the Philadelphia Eagles' front office is likely as strong as ever.
Earlier this year, the Eagles elected to trade Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans in exchange for offensive lineman Kenyon Green and a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. At the time, Philadelphia's front office maintained the decision was completely and totally related to the value they were seeing out of the safety.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Gardner-Johnson took issue with that narrative and made sure to share his side of the story while speaking with Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. In the veteran's own words, Gardner-Johnson accused the franchise and Howie Roseman of being dishonest, saying that the fans deserved better.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson Clearly Angry at Howie Roseman After Trade
C.J. Gardner-Johnson on #Eagles saying trade to #Texans was salary-cap related: 'It wasn’t about money. 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… https://t.co/BtWLYhhsFR
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) June 8, 2025
The fact that Gardner-Johnson is still aggravated about how his tenure in Philadelphia came to an end is not surprising. While the Texans are a good franchise and one of the favorites in the AFC South for a reason, Houston is nowhere near the point the Eagles find themselves in when it comes to competing for championships.
This past season, Gardner-Johnson was among the top cornerbacks the league had to offer as he completed the 2024 campaign by recording 59 total tackles, six interceptions, 12 pass deflections, and one interception return for a touchdown.
Philadelphia has been good to Gardner-Johnson over the years. His two best seasons as a professional came during his two seasons with the Eagles, as 12 of his 18 career interceptions came while playing for the City of Brotherly Love.
Gardner-Johnson may have a grudge against Roseman and Philadelphia's front office, but these are the difficult decisions the team's general manager must make throughout the year. Keeping the Eagles among the favorites to win the Super Bowl year in and year out is the only priority at this time for Roseman and the brain trust in the front office.