C.J. Gardner-Johnson reveals what he told Eagles before Texans trade

Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson said he was honest with the Eagles during a phone call before they traded him to the Texans on Tuesday.

Gardner-Johnson, who signed a three-year, $27 million deal with Philadelphia last March, explained there was “no bad blood” — and he said he had one request for the Eagles on his way out.

“I ain’t gonna lie, I thought it was April Fool’s,” the 27-year-old said, as seen in a video that circulated on social media. “… I was like they damn sure got mem they playing crazy with me right now. But naw, it wasn’t no love lost. It wasn’t no bad blood.

CJGJ reacts to the #Eagles trading him: “It was no bad blood.. Them young guys just gotta get paid down there.. All I asked them was to trade me somewhere I can play winning football, and I woke up and boom there it is, we in Houston”

(H/T @Philly_Mike25) pic.twitter.com/2dIDsomKrt — Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) March 11, 2025

“… It was an amazing phone call to be all the way thorough. The situation is, them young guys just gotta get paid in Philly, [defensive tackle] Jalen Carter, [safety] Reed [Blankenship] and [linebacker] Zack [Baun]… Me getting older, I understand. There was no bad blood.

“… All I asked them was like, between me and y’all, I told them, I just want to go somewhere where I can go play winning football. I didn’t ask for a specific place… I want to play winning football. I woke up the next day and and boom there it is, we in Houston.”

4 Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson said there is no bad blood after the Eagles traded him to the Texans. X

Gardner-Johnson won his first Super Bowl with the Birds in February when they routed the Chiefs, 40-22.

The Eagles traded him to the Texans for former first-round guard Kenyon Green, according to NFL Network.

Philadelphia also received a 2026 fifth-round pick while Houston gets Gardner-Johnson and a 2026 sixth-rounder.

4 Philadelphia Eagles’ C.J. Gardner-Johnson celebrates during Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025. REUTERS

4 Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is chased by Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (8) in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 9, 2025. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Gardner-Johnson recorded six interceptions and one defensive touchdown last season for Philadelphia.

His departure came after a slew of offseason moves from the reigning Super Bowl champs.

4 Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson holds a newspaper after an Eagles win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans. AP

On Monday, linebacker Josh Sweat agreed to a four-year deal worth $76.4 million with the Cardinals.

Philadelphia retained Baun on a three-year, $51 million deal last Wednesday.

The Eagles released veteran cornerbacks Darius Slay and James Bradberry.

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