C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s turbulent 2025 NFL season has taken another sharp turn. Just one week after signing with the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad, the veteran safety has been released, making it the second time in less than a month that a team has parted ways with him.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the split was described as a “mutual decision” between Gardner-Johnson and the Ravens’ organization.
His agent, Kevin Conner, confirmed that Gardner-Johnson requested his release after the Ravens made a trade for veteran safety Alohi Gilman from the Los Angeles Chargers.
Gilman was acquired in a deal that sent pass rusher Odafe Oweh to L.A. With Gilman’s arrival, Gardner-Johnson’s chances of making the active roster diminished, prompting a quick exit.
“After the Ravens traded for a safety, we were looking for a clearer path to play,” Conner said, indicating that the move was strategic and not a result of internal issues with the team.
Off-field distractions and on-field decline
This latest departure adds to a growing list of challenges Gardner-Johnson has faced this season. On September 23, he was cut by the Houston Texans after appearing in just three games. Although he was expected to bring veteran leadership to the Texans’ secondary, things quickly unraveled behind the scenes.
Multiple reports indicated that Gardner-Johnson was a disruptive presence in the locker room. He allegedly criticized teammates, questioned contract decisions, and expressed unhappiness with his own role in the defense.
Sources claimed he pushed for more blitzing opportunities and frequently compared the Texans’ team culture to that of the Philadelphia Eagles, where he won a Super Bowl earlier in the year. He reportedly even requested a trade before being cut.
His short stay in Baltimore was meant to be a fresh start, but the timing of Gilman’s trade effectively closed the door before it even opened. Now a free agent again, Gardner-Johnson’s future in the league appears uncertain, especially given how two teams have opted to move on from him in under a month.
Beyond football, Gardner-Johnson continues to stir controversy. Following the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, he was seen at the team’s parade wearing a sweatshirt that read “Swifties can LIX my balls”-a jab at pop superstar Taylor Swift and her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Days earlier, he had also posted a now-deleted Instagram story mocking Kelce’s ex-girlfriend, Kayla Nicole, which many fans viewed as body-shaming.
His comments ignited backlash from Swift’s massive fanbase. When the Texans released him in September, many Swifties celebrated the news online, referencing her song “Karma” and suggesting he got what he deserved.
Now at a career crossroads, Gardner-Johnson must decide whether he can let his play, and not his personality, define his next opportunity in the NFL.
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