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The Eagles lost another member of their recent Super Bowl-winning defense on Tuesday. This time though, they chose to make the move.
Philadelphia is sending safety C.J. Gardner Johnson to the Texans, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The move comes after players like Josh Sweat, Milton Williams and Darius Slay have already departed from the Eagles in free agency.
In exchange, Houston is set to send over some offensive line help to Philadelphia.
Here are the details of the trade between the Eagles and Texans involving Gardner-Johnson.
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C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade details
Two draft picks are also on the move in the trade between Houston and Philadelphia, per Rapoport:
Texans receive:
- S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
- 2026 sixth-round pick
Eagles
- G Kenyon Green
- 2026 fifth-round pick
The Eagles sent Gardner-Johnson to Houston along with a 2026 sixth-round pick. In exchange, Philadelphia upgrades the 2026 pick to a fifth-rounder and also receives guard Kenyon Green, a 2022 first-round pick.
Gardner-Johnson spent the 2022 season with Philadelphia after being traded by the Saints, but then left the franchise in free agency for the Lions. Last offseason, the Eagles brought Gardner-Johnson back, and he was a key part of their secondary on their run to the Super Bowl title. He’ll now help fill the Texans’ void at safety left by Eric Murray signing elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Green is a 23-year-old guard that started in 23 total games for Houston. With Mekhi Becton being a free agent for Philadelphia, Green could take his role at guard if Becton signs elsewhere.
Houston now moves on from its third offensive lineman of the offseason already. It has previously traded Laremy Tunsil to Washington, while Shaq Mason was released.
Following the news of the trade, Gardner-Johnson reacted via social media by shouting out his title-winning organization.
MORE: Full details of Laremy Tunsil’s trade to Commanders
C.J. Gardner-Johnson contract
Gardner-Johnson signed a three-year, $27 million deal with Philadelphia in the 2024 offseason. The contract included $10 million guaranteed.
The safety is set to carry a cap hit of $3,736,000 in 2025 and $4,656,000 in 2026, per Spotrac, prior to hitting free agency after the 2026 season.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson age
Gardner-Johnson is 27 years old. He’ll be entering his seventh NFL season in 2025, and he’ll turn 28 on Dec. 20, 2025.
MORE: Grading Eagles-Browns trade involving Kenny Pickett
C.J. Gardner-Johnson stats
Here’s a look at Gardner-Johnson’s career numbers as he joins the Texans:
| Season | Team | Games | Total tackles | Solo tackles | Sacks | Forced fumbles | INTs | Passes defended |
| 2019 | Saints | 16 | 49 | 38 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 2020 | Saints | 15 | 66 | 52 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 13 |
| 2021 | Saints | 12 | 46 | 32 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 7 |
| 2022 | Eagles | 12 | 67 | 61 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 8 |
| 2023 | Lions | 3 | 17 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 2024 | Eagles | 16 | 59 | 35 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 12 |
| Totals: | 74 | 304 | 234 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 51 |