The Buffalo Bills have parted ways with veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. The franchise announced his release on Tuesday following a recent disciplinary suspension.
Suspension and On-Field Struggles
According to Jordan Schultz, the roster move followed a one-game suspension issued after a spitting incident involving Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers during a Week 6 victory. The penalty caused Gardner-Johnson to miss the team’s subsequent win against the Baltimore Ravens. Following the event, Gardner-Johnson issued a social media apology stating that his competitive nature crossed a line, that his gesture was inappropriate and unnecessary, and that he took full accountability for his actions without any excuses.
Prior to the current season, Tim Graham of The Athletic reported that Gardner-Johnson had accumulated 13 fines totaling $194,924 throughout his career. During his short stint in Buffalo this season, he started six games and recorded 26 tackles, two passes defended, and one interception. Pro Football Focus assigned him an overall player grade of 55.2, placing him 71st out of 98 eligible safeties for the 2026 season.
At 28 years old, Gardner-Johnson brings extensive experience from previous stints with the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Chicago Bears, and Buffalo Bills, having previously tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions during the 2022 campaign with Philadelphia. He will now look for opportunities with other franchises seeking defensive backfield depth as the Bills continue their season without him.
