The Houston Texans released C.J. Gardner-Johnson after just three games due to a combination of issues both on and off the field. Key reasons included his dissatisfaction with his role on the team, particularly his desire to blitz more often, and friction with teammates in the secondary, including criticism of a teammate's contract. He also reportedly requested a trade and made frequent comparisons to his experience with the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl-winning squad. On the field, Gardner-Johnson struggled with coverage assignments and gave up game-changing plays that contributed to the Texans' 0-3 start to the season. Additionally, he was seen as not taking responsibility for mistakes, which rubbed teammates the wrong way and created locker room issues. These factors led the Texans to determine that the fit wasn't right for either party, prompting the release.
In summary, the release was driven by Gardner-Johnson's unhappy role and locker room friction, combined with his on-field struggles in Houston's defensive scheme.
