The Houston Texans have released defensive back CJ Gardner-Johnson after acquiring the player in the trade back in March.
Gardner-Johnson was released due to “friction behind the scenes,” according to Aaron Wilson. The defender was reportedly complaining about his role, wanting to blitz and mentioned being traded.
Now, the safety is without a team and should have several teams calling his camp about his talents. One NFL writer believes the Los Angeles Rams should go after CJ Gardner-Johnson as the team deals with blows to the secondary.
CJ Gardner-Johnson To LA?
The Los Angeles Rams lost one of their starting cornerbacks, Ahkello Witherspoon, to a broken collarbone. While Witherspoon has the opportunity to return late in the season, the Rams need assistance in the secondary regardless of position.
Sports Illustrated’s Brock Vierra believes the Rams should sign CJ Gardner-Johnson after his release.
“Gardner-Johnson is a proven winner who is willing to die on the field for his team as long as he’s emotionally invested in the cause and in my opinion, the cause in Houston was not a fit for him. Is Gardner-Johnson outspoken? Yes. Is he violent on the field? Yes. Does he voice his opinions, sometimes not in the best of ways? Yes,” Vierra wrote for Sports Illustrated. “When push comes to shove, Gardner-Johnson is the exact person anyone wants beside them on the wall when the invaders are at the gate. He’s perfect for the aggressive nature of this defense, his personality should assimilate well within the Rams.
“Gardner-Johnson is weird differently. That’s why he’s a great player. Teams also don’t win Super Bowls through the power of friendship. Plus, if the Rams don’t sign him, the [Philadelphia] Eagles probably will.”
CJGJ logged 15 tackles in his short stint with the Texans, with 11 of those tackles being solo takedowns.
Before being traded to Houston, Gardner-Johnson was a member of the 2025 Super Bowl-winning Eagles squad. In that season, the DB had 6 interceptions and 12 pass deflections.
Restructure of Secondary Room
The Los Angeles Rams have a solid safety group, led by Quentin Lake, who was voted a captain this season.
Lake has been receiving snaps at the nickel corner spot. If the Rams were to sign CJ Gardner-Johnson, Lake could make a switch to cornerback to deal with the injuries woes to the team and have CJGJ play in one of the safety spots.
In the recent matchup with the Eagles, Lake had a game high of 4 pass deflections, being a positive cover player against Devonta Smith and AJ Brown.
The Rams could benefit if Lake were to make a one-time season switch to corner, with a player knowing the defensive scheme Chris Shula runs instead of a whole new CB.
CJ Gardner-Johnson has Super Bowl-winning experience and could be a benefit to the defense at the safety position.