How Texans’ C.J. Gardner-Johnson is fueled by ‘disrespect,’ trade ‘wasn’t about money,’ aims for multiple Super Bowls

HOUSTON – Backpedaling, reacting and cutting at high speeds while adeptly tracking and catching the football, C.J. Gardner-Johnson is just getting warmed up in more ways than one during a recent workout and interview.

As the new Texans’ veteran safety is put through his paces with longtime trainer, James Banks, he’s combining two of his favorite things: football drills and talking.

One of the top safeties in the NFL and arguably the most outspoken one in the league, Gardner-Johnson has a lot on his mind. There’s a running commentary on a gamut of topics, including reflecting on a controversial trade after helping the Philadelphia Eagles win a Super Bowl, his reputation and legacy and how he feels misunderstood.

“I feel highly disrespected, but it’s a business,” Gardner-Johnson told KPRC 2 while setting his feet on the artificial turf of a workout facility in Katy. “Never was an All-Pro or Pro Bowl! Never! Led the league in interceptions. What more do you want?

“People say, ‘He’s a hazard, he’s this, he’s that.’ I never been no hazard, bro. They got no real issues on me. That black ball ain’t going to work on me, because I got me a ring. I got me one. I got three more championships in me. I’m probably going to win the next three. I’m going to get me another Super Bowl this year. Just watch.”

Before he finishes a lengthy session of defensive back drills, Gardner-Johnson exclaims: ‘Don’t put me in no category. I’m in my own category. High-risk, high reward, baby!"

The last comment is followed by a classic movie villain laugh.

READ MORE: ‘Championship or nothing:’ How swaggy, hard-hitting safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson is a bold tone-setter for Texans

Gardner-Johnson, 27, is aiming for another Super Bowl championship with the Texans, a franchise with a talented roster, especially its loaded defense, that has never reached the AFC title game before with six losses in the divisional round of the playoffs. That includes falling short against the Kansas Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in January.

Playing for coach DeMeco Ryans, a former Pro Bowl linebacker and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and the architect of top-ranked defenses with the San Francisco 49ers as their defensive coordinator, is significant for Gardner-Johnson.

“To be honest with you, it means a lot,” Gardner-Johnson said. “Guys like me, I embrace it. I understand what it means. I can’t speak for everybody, but I know that we’re gonna get in there and be at the top at the end of the year and have a chance to compete for a championship.

“I think that’s why I’m here. I’m proud to be a Texan. I want to make coach Ryans proud. Coming together and trying to win one together, it would be kind of amazing.”

When the Eagles traded Gardner-Johnson in exchange for former first-round offensive guard Kenyon Green and a 2026 fifth-round selection, Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman emphasized the financial component as the primary reason behind the swap. The Eagles wound up rewarding running back Saquon Barkley and linebacker Zack Baun with lucrative deals.

“Well, I think if you’re just taking the C.J. move in a vacuum, obviously, it’s kind of not giving the whole perspective of where we’re at,” Roseman said at the NFL owners meetings. “Chauncey did a great job for us in both the years that he was with us, obviously making the Super Bowl twice in two years with him as our starting safety. When you look at our team and you look at the amount of highly paid players who have earned their contracts — we’ve got eight guys who are making $15 million or more.

“We have, from 2022 to 2024 drafts, we have eight starters who are on the Super Bowl team. None of those guys have long-term contracts. In those drafts, we probably have five or six players that will be competing for starting jobs. So, you have a lot of players coming through that aren’t under long-term contracts plus a lot of guys who are on long-term contracts and we never want to be in a situation where we have one year where we’re getting rid of 20 guys.”

Gardner-Johnson, due up to $8.5 million this year with $2 million of his $7.75 million deal guaranteed and up to $11.5 million in 2026 with void years from 2027 to 2030, disagreed vehemently with Roseman’s explanation.

“It wasn’t about money,” Gardner-Johnson said. “If it was about money, everybody would have been gone. How can I say this the most respectful way? Saquon deserved it. Zack deserved it, but the reasons behind it, the fans don’t deserve that reason.

“It’s deeper than that. The fans don’t deserve, ‘It’s about the money,’ because if that was the case, my contract was safe.”

When Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio characterized Gardner-Johnson’s departure as a “salary cap thing,” adding that “Howie made that decision, I was fine with it,” the former New Orleans Saints fourth-round draft pick attacked that narrative on social media.

“Just don’t do them young guys like y’all did me,” Gardner-Johnson wrote in response to Fangio. “I was a test dummy for them, so now they can be like my ”scheme" work, or did my skill set make it work. 100. I had 0 issues. Ppl had issues with me, so, yeah, let the salary cap be the “excuse.”

Gardner-Johnson left Philadelphia after helping shut down the Kansas City Chiefs’ vaunted offense headlined by quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Star tight end Travis Kelce was locked up, limited to four catches for 39 yards on six targets.

Gardner-Johnson had two stints with the Eagles in between playing for the Detroit Lions during a injury-shortened season.

By acquiring Gardner-Johnson, the Texans add an instinctive, ball-hawking safety.

Gardner-Johnson is in the prime of his career. Why did the Eagles move on? Roseman has made major investments in the offensive line. He has some young safeties he can play opposite Reed Blankenship.

“A lot of Philly people want to know, I should be asking you guys,” Ryans said at the NFL owners meetings. “You guys are upset he left, so I’m excited to get him. I feel his passion for the game, his love for football, it jumps off the tape. I’m excited to work with him. I’m excited to see what he brings to our team. You’re talking about a guy now with Super Bowl experience.”

What else does Gardner-Johnson want to clear up? He said he has no beef at all with former Eagles teammate Darius Slay.

“Let’s clear this Slay (stuff) up now,” he said. “I got no problem with him. He’s a respectable vet. I ain’t never going to hate on someone like that. When that real Florida (personality) walk in that building, they know.”

Last season, Gardner-Johnson intercepted six passes and returned one for a touchdown. He recorded 59 tackles, 12 pass breakups and one forced fumble. Known for his trash talking to opponents, Gardner-Johnson has a bombastic alpha personality. At times, he says, he feels misunderstood. His intentions, he emphasized, are winning Super Bowls and having fun, not being involved in controversies. He’s not shying away from anything, though.

“Right now, I don’t even care anymore,” Gardner-Johnson said. “This is why I say this. Some stuff ain’t meant for me to understand anymore. I’m at this point where it’s like, it’s whatever. You gonna put out there what you gonna put out there. I’m just gonna address certain things that should be addressed, especially when you talk about me as a person, especially if you don’t know me, like when you’re attacking my personal (character).

“I haven’t had no issues. Really, that’s like, how can I say, news-breaking. So, right now, I’m cool with how things are going. It’s not for me to understand anymore or try to figure out because it’s already been set in stone. They want to write you how they write you. I guess I done wore the black ball already."

Now that he’s earned a ring with the Eagles after leading them with six interceptions to rank tied for third in the NFL with Baltimore Ravens corner Marlon Humphrey behind former Detroit Lions teammate Kerby Joseph’s league-high nine interceptions and Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney’s eight picks, Gardner-Johnson wants more. He’s determined to prove his point.

Gardner-Johnson wants to help the Texans reach and win their first Super Bowl title. At the same time, he emphasized that he wants to fit into a secondary headlined by All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr. that includes other key contributors in cornerback Kamari Lassiter, nickel Jalen Pitre and safety Calen Bullock.

“I mean, you guys played a lot of good ball here, but I don’t think they understand what it means to win when it matters,” Gardner-Johnson said. “I’m not talking discredit to the team. I’m just saying I’ve been in a lot situations where, from Detroit to New Orleans to Philly, I’ve got to win when it matters and I’ve been in games where I had to step up.

“For me, championships means more to me than just winning a football game right now because I’m getting older. I’m playing with a lot of younger guys who understand like, yeah, the money’s here, but it’s more on when you can win and get a championship, you know?"

Gardner-Johnson has primarily been working out independently and didn’t attend the voluntary organized team activities. He participated for a week in the Texans’ offseason conditioning program. He plans to participate in a mandatory minicamp this week.

From the somewhat limited interactions he’s had with his teammates, Gardner-Johnson likes the chemistry. He’s intent on not overwhelming them with his trademark intensity and talkative nature. Gardner-Johnson said he got away from being around the team a bit for family reasons and for a time of introspection.

“I’ve really been like to myself,” Gardner-Johnson said. “The week I was there, it was very, very closer than places I’ve been before. Because this is a brand-new organization, trying to be the first team to put a bull on the ring. I had to step back. I’m too much sometimes.

“I think coming off a Super Bowl, it’s a little too much for guys who feel like they’re at the top of their profession right now because of who they are. That’s respectable. So, we had to step back and then start to humble up because now I’m at the bottom of the mountain with a team that’s never been to the top. So, I can’t bring the top of the mountain to the bottom of the mountain. I can’t do that. It’s like an avalanche. I don’t want to cause a cluster---.”

Gardner-Johnson wants to leave a legacy of winning behind him. He’s a son and a father who measures his accomplishments largely by a championship standard.

"I got three more championships in me,“ he said. ”I’m going to be honest with you, I’m probably going to win the next three years. That’s how I’m feeling, not because of who I am, just because I’ve been put around great teams like from Detroit, Philly, twice. New Orleans, we was close. You got to think about it, I never had a losing tradition."

Eighteen interceptions, 304 career tackles and 51 pass breakups is outstanding production, especially in comparison to where he was drafted. Gardner-Johnson has outperformed several safeties drafted ahead of him, including first-round draft picks Darnell Savage and Johnathan Abram, second-round picks Marquise Blair, Nassir Adderley, Taylor Rapp and Juan Thornhill and third-round picks Will Harris and Mike Edwards. He was the ninth safety drafted in 2019.

Despite his production and winning pedigree, Gardner-Johnson is the 19th highest paid safety in terms of average compensation per year with a $9 million average. Joseph is the highest at $21.25 million under an $85 million deal followed by Antoine Winfield Jr. ($21.025 million), Derwin James ($19 million), Minkah Fitzpatrick ($18.247 million), Budda Baker ($18 million), Trevon Moehrig ($17 million), McKinney ($16.75 million), Jessie Bates III ($16.005 million), Jevon Holland ($15.1 million), Cam Bynum ($15 million), Kyle Dugger ($14.5 million), Talanoa Hufanga ($13 million), Grant Delpit ($12 million), Jalen Thompson ($12 million), Julian Love ($11 million), Justin Reid ($10.5 million), Harrison Smith ($10.25 million) and Amani Hooker ($10 million).

In the NFL, money doesn’t only equate to market value. It’s a measure of respect commensurate to what a player provides to his respective team.

“I look at it sometimes,” Gardner-Johnson said. “When I’m by myself, it pisses me off because I look all the things I’ve done, worked hard. When I gotta go out in public, I gotta just carry it. Me, truthfully, it is what it is. To be the highest paid, you gotta follow the rules. You gotta play a role. You gotta do what you need to do on and off field. To me, I feel like to be the highest paid is more than that. I feel you gotta show you’re consistent. I think consistency with me has been key. I’ve been winning with, no matter what group of guys you put me with, I’m going to gel with them. Being the highest paid, it don’t really strike me no more.

“I think just doing something to help me feed my family. I can continue to play winning football with a great organization and just being where my feet are and just be blessed to be honest with you. It doesn’t really matter to me anymore. It ain’t about money for me no more, bro. It’s about just giving me what I deserve on the respect level. They be hating on me. Watch out. We’ve got guys on TV telling us you’re not this and those guys ain’t got stats and accolades like the guy that’s playing. I ain’t never been tripping. They’re like, ‘You’re not top 10, you’re not top five, but he’s a great safety. He’s a ballhawk.’ I don’t get my props. ”

The new sheriff in town has true swagger, even sporting a fresh black hat with gold trim, clips and elaborate accents that included a pink feather and insignias across the brim at his introductory press conference.

Even before the hard-hitting, instinctive veteran starts patrolling the exans secondary, he’s already emerging as a tone-setter. Yes, he said his hat game is superior to Cam Newton’s haberdashery.

Besides emphasizing that he wants to be called “Ceedy,” he originally coveted the No. 8 jersey currently assigned to returning wide receiver John Metchie III. Now, he says, he’s content with No. 23.

“I’m going back to 23 because I feel like the best athletes were 23,” he said. “That’s my reasoning. I feel like Jordan coming back from baseball. I never left football. I just feel like Jordan come back from baseball ready to just run it, run the table and then go home.”

Gardner-Johnson leaves no doubt about his ambitions. He joined the defending AFC South champion Texans with every intention of earning another Super Bowl ring.

That’s why the Texans acquired Gardner-Johnson. His impactful presence, should add a distinctive edge.

Yes, Gardner-Johnson is known for his boisterous, talkative style that frequently grates on opponents. He’s also known for occasionally ruffling a few feathers by challenging teammates to match his intensity.

In Philadelphia, Gardner-Johnson built a reputation for having an outspoken alpha personality. He’s also known as a good teammate who cares about his colleagues and for his intelligence. The Texans are liking what Gardner-Johnson brings to their locker room. The true chemistry test will come later under the fire of the season.

“My first day meeting him, and he’s everything I knew he would be: competitive, talks smack, and I love it,” Texans Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson Jr. said. “We need those type of guys in the locker room to lighten everybody’s mood a little bit and show it’s fun, man. Football is fun and he brings that energy.

“That juice. His energy is contagious and I felt it today while we were running sprints and conditioning and stuff like that. He is very competitive and to play in this defense and play our style of ball then you’ve got to be competitive and you’ve got to have a little edge to you and I think he has all of those things.”

One of the most decorated and highest paid players from Gardner-Johnson’s draft class in 2019 was also selected in the fourth round: Las Vegas Raider star pass rusher Maxx Crosby.

Crosby is a role model for Gardner-Johnson as an once-overlooked player who has emerged as one of the best defenders in the NFL.

“Shoutout to Maxx,” Gardner-Johnson said. “I feel like we have similar stories, but it’s written in different paths. Maxx Crosby, great player, phenomenal player, but me and him achieved more than a lot of guys drafted before us achieved. Seeing him to get the big contracts, very, very happy for the guy.

“What are you looking for in an athlete? Then, you look at the guys that got drafted before me, the eight safeties before me, then you look the safeties we got now, like it’s not for me to try to figure out anymore. I just sit back. My hand was dealt to me, so now I just got to keep living that. I’m feeling pretty good about my career. I can go out and say I’m one of the best.”

Gardner-Johnson attributes his longevity and mobility in part to his work with Banks, whom he first connected with in New Orleans.

“It’s good,” he said. “The older you get, the pace slows down. The pace is more tempo right now. Just keeping the framework, ligaments, hips, movement.”

And Banks sees a ton of energy and enthusiasm from Gardner-Johnson, who appears to be in optimal condition months before training camp.

“Man, me and C.J. have been locked in for the last five years,” Banks said. “Very passionate guy, loves what he does, high energy, it’s special. You know everything that the Texans already have, but now you’re getting in a veteran leader, somebody who’s been in big games, been in the big moments, understands that mode, how to help younger guys grow.

“To bring in that veteran leadership is definitely gonna be a big plus for the Texas You talk about some somebody who doesn’t really need much of a push, you know He’s hungry man, and that’s all I can really say.”

Off the field, Gardner-Johnson enjoys playing video games, including Call of Duty, Madden, college football and Grand Theft Auto. He is on Twitch and is active in the popular streaming community.

He also wants to be as involved as he can in the community. He’d like to be the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.

“If I can’t personally get a Pro Bowl, something I can’t control, I can control being able to go out in the community and just spreading positivity and love to the families and kids,” Gardner-Johnson said. “Really, that’s my goal here in Houston and championship. I want to help homeless families, struggling moms. That’s what’s really going to drive me this year."

Six years into his NFL career after being drafted by the Saints out of the University of Florida, Gardner-Johnson is on his fifth team in five seasons. He’s been showing an infectious, fun-loving personality.

“He could bring a lot,” Pitre said. “That competitive nature is just going to continue to rise, because obviously we have a competitive group, but when you add a little bit to the fire, it’s definitely going to continue to grow. He’s also going to add that championship (experience), what it takes to get there and how it’s going to feel when we get there. He’s been there.”

Raw and real, Gardner-Johnson is authentic as it gets. He’s not politically correct. He speaks his mind and he plays the game with a hard-nosed, aggressive style.

“Well, I don’t like Florida, but, C.J., I like the fact that he’s himself,” said Lassiter, who attended Southeastern Conference rival Georgia. “He’s one hell of a ball player. He really understands the game. He’s played for a long time and he comes with his own energy.

“He just comes with his own passion and it affects the players around him. You can see, just watching this film, how his energy and how he talks and how he plays the game, it affects people around him, whether it’s on the opposite side of the ball or whether it’s on his side of the ball.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com