Early in the 2025-26 season, the Kansas City Chiefs came out flat. Head coach Andy Reid’s group is just 1-2 on the year, and its Week 3 victory over the New York Giants didn’t exactly inspire confidence that every issue is fixed.
It’s going to take some time for the reigning AFC champions to sort things out. One outlet and analyst believe there’s a need to shake things up in an effort to help Kansas City get back on track.
The move would certainly qualify as the former, albeit at a massive risk regarding the latter.
Writer Links Chiefs to Safety That Fans Have Bad Blood With
In a September 23 story for USA Today, Nick Brinkerhoff listed three potential landing spots for free agent safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. That’s a name Chiefs fans certainly aren’t fond of.
Brinkerhoff doesn’t care. Citing the need for more intensity in Kansas City, he makes the case for what would be a headline-making acquisition.
“Most of the Chiefs‘ struggles have been attributed to their offense, but Andy Reid said at halftime of ‘Sunday Night Football’ that his team needed to add some more energy,” Brinkerhoff wrote. “It’s what spurred his fiery sideline exchange with Travis Kelce. If nothing else, Gardner-Johnson fits the mold of someone who would bring some juice – for better or worse.”
Life has hit Gardner-Johnson fast this year. Back in February, he helped the Philadelphia Eagles hoist the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LIX against these very Chiefs. Just a month later, he got traded to the Houston Texans. He lasted just three weeks into the regular season, though.
In a Tuesday report from Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston, it was revealed that Gardner-Johnson was being released. Apparently, “friction behind the scenes” led to the team’s decision. Gardner Johnson reportedly was “complaining about his role” and relayed to the Texans that he “wanted to be traded.” The honeymoon phase in Texas quickly turned sour.
In his three games with the Texans, Gardner-Johnson recorded 15 tackles and logged one quarterback hit. The 27-year-old former fourth-round pick posted a 92.0 passer rating when targeted in coverage.
Kansas City’s Defense Can Likely Pass on Adding Gardner-Johnson
Barring an injury, the Chiefs can probably afford to pass on Gardner-Johnson. There are instances of competitive fire and not-so-friendly banter being forgiven, especially in the NFL. With that said, this player is one who is earning an unfortunate reputation for negatively impacting franchise culture. That’s the last thing Kansas City should take a chance on at this stage.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has enough on his plate right now. Following the departure of Justin Reid via free agency, the Chiefs’ safety room looks a bit different. There are familiar names making up the group, but the workloads are still being sorted out.
2022 NFL Draft pick Bryan Cook responded from a rough Week 1 to be absolute nails in Weeks 2 and 3. He currently has the No. 7 Pro Football Focus overall defense grade among all safeties. Christian Roland-Wallace, who logged an interception in Week 3, is the top-graded man but has just 31 snaps on the docket. Chamarri Conner and Jaden Hicks still seem to be finding their footing.
With the slot cornerback position also being in flux, Spagnuolo and defensive backs coach Dave Merritt are playing musical chairs. It isn’t a volume conundrum, but rather a puzzle that requires weeks of tinkering to complete. The right rotations, as they have in years past, may not come together until November or beyond.
Injecting another name into the mix, especially one that comes with questions regarding fit, isn’t a great prospect as Week 4 rolls on.
