CJ Gardner-Johnson sends message to Eagles fans after trade to Texans

The Philadelphia Eagles are trading CJ Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans, and the veteran safety has a message for the city. On social media, Gardner-Johnson thanked the Eagles and their fans for their support during the 2024 season.

“Thank you, Philly,” Gardner-Johnson wrote in the social media post. “You’ve been more than a city to me — you’ve been a home. From the moment I stepped onto Lincoln Financial, I knew I’d found a place where passion isn’t just celebrated; it’s demanded. And I gave everything, every snap, every hit, every ounce in my bones.

“The decision wasn’t mine, but I walk away proud of what we built together. Becoming a 2-time NFC champion and Super Bowl champion, the forced fumbles and game-sealing interceptions — those moments belong to US. You taught me that greatness isn’t about highlights — it’s about drawing back, harder and fiercer, just like this city does every day.”

CJ Gardner-Johnson says Eagles fans are ‘unmtached’

Gardner-Johnson continued, “To my teammates: Brother, we bled, cursed, and laughed through it all. To the coaches and front office: Thank you for trusting a kid from Florida with a chip on his shoulder to lead this defense. And to the Philly Faithful-you’re unmatched. You embraced my edge and fire for this game, even when I got too hot. Philly, you helped me carve my name into this league. But this isn’t goodbye. It’s thank you.”

CJ Gardner-Johnson played for the Eagles last season and in 2022. He recorded six interceptions in each of those seasons and helped the team play in two Super Bowls while winning one. With Gardner-Johnson joining the Texans, he will likely take the place of safety Eric Murray, who signed a three-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In return, the Eagles will receive offensive lineman Kenyon Green.

“Honestly, I like being physical,” Gardner-Johnson said in 2022, per the Eagles’ official website. “Growing up watching Sean Taylor, Ed Reed, and really watching the old Florida Gators really made me want to be physical. Yeah, like my Ahmad Black, Major Wright. That was really my first glimpse because I went to the spring game. And that’s when I was like, ‘OK, I want to be a physical football player, somebody who can knock somebody’s head off!'”