The Houston Texans have acquired C.J. Gardner Johnson from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for left guard Kenyon Green.
The deal also includes a pick swap, with the Eagles getting a 2026 fifth-round pick and the Texans getting a 2026 sixth-rounder. Gardner-Johnson is a known ball hawk, with six interceptions in 2024 and 2022 for the Eagles in separate stints.
Gardner-Johnson joins a Houston pass defense that ranked sixth in passing yards allowed (201) and 13th in scoring defense (21.9). Gardner-Johnson’s 18 career interceptions fit right in with what the Texans’ defense did last year as they ranked second in interceptions (19).
Gardner-Johnson acknowledged the trade, expressing his “love” for Philadelphia in a series of X posts Tuesday morning.
“This decision wasn’t mine, but I walk away proud of what we built together,” Gardner-Johnson wrote. “To my teammates: Brothers, 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.”
Going back to the Eagles is left guard Kenyon Green, who was the Texans first round pick in 2022.
Green started 23 games in his career for the Texans but was benched in 2024 after struggling to protect quarterback C.J. Stroud. Houston also released starting right guard Shaq Mason before the start of free agency.
