The turnover of the Philadelphia Eagles defense continued with the trade of C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans in exchange for offensive lineman Kenyon Green and a 2026 fifth-round draft pick. Gardner-Johnson, a key player on the Eagles defense with six interceptions last season, rejoined the team in 2024 after spending the 2023 season with the Detroit Lions. Despite the trade, Gardner-Johnson expressed love for Philadelphia and the Eagles’ fanbase but had previously made negative comments about the city’s residents. The 27-year-old safety also sparked controversy after the Eagles’ Super Bowl win by targeting Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift in a social media post.
Gardner-Johnson’s social media post about Kelce and Swift led to negative reviews for his mother’s restaurant in Florida, which was owned by Del Johnson. Fans of Taylor Swift, known as “Swifties,” were responsible for the initial wave of bad reviews, prompting Yelp to place an “unusual activity alert” on the restaurant’s page. Despite the controversy surrounding Gardner-Johnson, the Eagles were able to retain linebacker Zack Baun but lost Josh Sweat and Milton Williams to other NFL teams. Defensive backs Darius Slay and James Bradberry were also released, indicating a significant turnover in the Eagles’ defense.
In addition to the trade of Gardner-Johnson, the Eagles addressed their backup quarterback role by trading Kenny Pickett to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. This move suggests that the Eagles are making strategic decisions in reshaping their roster for the upcoming season. Despite these changes, Gardner-Johnson’s departure marks another significant loss for the Eagles defense, which has seen multiple key players leave the team in recent weeks. It remains to be seen how these changes will impact the Eagles’ performance in the upcoming season.
Gardner-Johnson’s departure from the Eagles comes after a successful season where he played a significant role in the team’s defense, contributing six interceptions. His return to Philadelphia in 2024 was met with mixed reactions, as he had previously made negative comments about the city’s residents. Despite this, Gardner-Johnson expressed gratitude and love for Philadelphia and the Eagles organization in his farewell message. The trade to the Houston Texans signifies a new chapter for Gardner-Johnson’s NFL career, as he joins a new team and looks to make an impact in a different city. The Eagles will need to adjust to his absence and find ways to fill the void left by his departure.
Overall, the trade of C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans marks another significant change in the Philadelphia Eagles defense, which has seen a turnover of key players in recent weeks. While Gardner-Johnson’s departure may be met with mixed emotions from fans and teammates, it represents a strategic decision by the Eagles to reshape their roster and address key positions. The impact of losing Gardner-Johnson will be felt on the field, as the team looks to find replacements and maintain their competitiveness in the upcoming season. As the Eagles continue to make moves in free agency and trades, the fate of the team’s defense and overall performance in the 2025 NFL season remains uncertain.
