C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s Surprising Decline: Once Super Bowl Star Faces Second Team Exit This Season

This season has been tough for C.J. Gardner-Johnson. On Tuesday, the Ravens released him, marking the second time he’s been cut this season.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared that the parting was a mutual decision, according to Gardner-Johnson’s agent, Kevin Conner. This move follows the Ravens’ surprising 1-5 start, leading them to trade for safety Alohi Gilman from the Chargers last week.

Conner noted, “After the Ravens traded for a safety, we were looking for a clearer path to play.” Gardner-Johnson, 27, had previously been released by the Texans after they traded for him from the Eagles in the offseason.

There was tension with the Texans, as Gardner-Johnson expressed dissatisfaction with his role and even asked to be traded, according to KPRC beat writer Aaron Wilson. Despite his past performance—11 tackles in three games for Houston—there are no reports of immediate interest from other teams for him at this time.

Gardner-Johnson has a reputation for controversies both on and off the field. For instance, he was ejected in a game last season against the Commanders for unsportsmanlike conduct, flipping off the crowd as he left. He has also garnered attention for his comments and social media posts, like when he trolled Travis Kelce following the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory last season.

Experts say that Gardner-Johnson’s challenges reflect broader issues within NFL teams, particularly how player dynamics can shift quickly based on performance and roles. As the league evolves, players are finding it increasingly important to carve out specific and impactful roles for themselves. This begs the question—how will Gardner-Johnson adapt in this ever-changing environment?

As for the Ravens, this choice might signal their urgent need to shake things up and recalibrate their strategy. Past seasons show that changes like these can lead to unexpected recoveries. For example, last year, teams that made midseason adjustments often turned their seasons around, proving that swift action can yield positive results.

While it remains to be seen who will take a chance on Gardner-Johnson next, his experience across teams like the Saints and Lions in his seven-year career could serve him well in finding another opportunity soon. Learn more about Gardner-Johnson’s recent controversies here.

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