In his goodbye message to Philadelphia after the trade, Gardner-Johnson said he did not want to leave the Eagles. He later explained that the team was shifting focus to paying younger players, and he wanted an opportunity where he could secure an extension.

Former Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson still harbors some resentment about how his time with the team came to an end. In a wide-ranging interview with KPRC 2 in Houston, the now-Texans safety did not hold back when discussing his reputation throughout the NFL and more.