Week 1 can’t get here soon enough for Houston Texans fans.
It also can’t get here soon enough for new Buffalo Bills defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Gardner-Johnson, who was released after three games last season in Houston for multiple reasons, told reporters in Buffalo that he “can’t wait” to take on the Texans and kickstart the new season. He hasn’t forgotten about what’s been said during his tenure with the franchise and plans on making his presence felt from the jump.
“It’s a good team. Not saying nothing on the front office or the staff, but the players … they are good,” Gardner-Johnson said Thursday. “All the bulls— that came out, it was lies, but whatever. I just can’t wait to see ’em.”
Traded from the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason, Gardner-Johnson was expected to be an impactful safety and the missing piece to an already elite defense. But after missing an assignment in Week 1’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams and picking fights in Week 2’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, things internally got rocky with Gardner-Johnson and his teammates.
According to ESPN, after allowing a late touchdown in the comeback win by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Gardner-Johnson had undermined Pro Bowl cornerback Kamari Lassiter, who called out Gardner-Johnson for missing his assignment on the previous play against Brian Thomas Jr.
All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. reportedly tried to diffuse the situation, but that led to a back-and-forth between the two defensive backs and caused more tension. According to KPRC2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, the former nickel defender believed he was being used incorrectly and relied on his skills over the formation to make plays.
There were even talks of Gardner-Johnson being asked for a trade after the first game since his role was underutilized. He reportedly had a desire to blitz more frequently and the Texans didn’t view him in that role. After the loss in Jacksonville, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said the team released Gardner-Johnson because it was “in the best interest of the team.”
Gardner-Johnson politely agreed, but did have thoughts on his impact wiith the team.
“They released me because I wasn’t jelling with the team and I didn’t fit well,” Gardner-Johnson told reporters. “Well, why the hell didn’t the coach spoke up about it? … After the loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, they decided I didn’t fit well. We was already starting 0-3, so how can it possibly be on one person?”
While Gardner-Johnson did land on his feet by signing with the Chicago Bears, he mentioned that the overall approach could have been handled better from Houston’s side.
“Be adults about the business,” Gardner-Johnson said of his view on Houston’s process to release him. “We here, we grown men, we all got kids. A five-second phone call don’t justify nothing. And I feel like I need some respect, but I don’t care for it no more.”
The Texans will play host to Gardner-Johnson and the Bills, whom they beat last season on Thursday Night Football, on Sept. 13. And while Gardner-Johnson hopes to walk away with a win, there’s nothing extra added to the fire.
It’s just the situation and how they handled me, it just wasn’t respectful, so as a grown man, I feel like when you see me, you’ll see me,” Gardner-Johnson said.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Former Texans DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson ‘can’t wait’ to play Houston in Week 1
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cole Thompson, Texans Wire | USA TODAY Network
