If there is one consistent trait for new Houston Texans defender C.J. Gardner-Johnson, it is a willingness to speak his mind. On and off the football field, the fiery defender doesn't pull any punches when it comes to his opinion. The Texans understood what they were signing up for and how this works both for and against the Super Bowl champion. While Gardner-Johnson won it all with the Philadelphia Eagles, it seems after the defender's trade to Houston, things are far from copacetic. The safety recently posted to refute claims his trade was a salary cap move.
Gardner-Johnson claims he was a "test dummy" for the Eagles. It is an odd way for the relationship to end after having two separate tenures with Philly and making the Super Bowl in both of those seasons. Having this level of frustration and bad blood comes as a bit of a surprise. However, this really adds up to nothing from Houston's perspective. The safety isn't going to be in the same conference as his former team and has no history with the Texans.
Gardner-Johnson's Off-Field Drama Shouldn't Concern Texans Fans
While you never want a former player making waves in the media, this is exactly what the team willingly signed up for. Every stop along the veteran's career, there have been stories of his fiery personality and willingness to mix things up. It is what has made his career and what has worked as a roadblock at times as well. Whether it is throwing his former teams under the bus or kicking a rival's logo, there is never a boring moment when you have the veteran under contract.
For the Texans, this isn't a problem to have any level of serious concern about. You understand when you made the trade that this is the type of headlines you're going to welcome with the safety on your roster. There is also the understanding that this same edge is going to be a needed force for your defense. It is the same energy and chip on his shoulder approach that has made the career of the productive safety.
While it isn't an ideal story for the Texans, there simply isn't a true downside with all of the drama involving the player's former team and his opinion. As long as Houston isn't drawn into the mix, the move continues to be a win for a franchise that badly needed this level of energy. For Gardner-Johnson, it is time to let the trade go and focus on moving forward in Houston.