NFL News: CJ Stroud’s new teammate takes direct shot at Jalen Hurts’ Eagles after joining Texans

The upcoming NFL season will feature the Houston Texans as a serious contender, having significantly bolstered their roster in pursuit of a deep playoff run. CJ Stroud will have a new teammate on the defensive side — a recent Super Bowl champion who played alongside Jalen Hurts, but didn’t leave the Philadelphia Eagles on the best of terms.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson entered the league in 2019 out of the Florida Gators, and starting in Week 1, he’ll be wearing a Texans jersey — his fifth team since turning pro. Although the safety showed enthusiasm about his fresh start in Houston, he didn’t hold back when reflecting on how undervalued he felt during his final stretch — a pointed message likely aimed at his former team.

Despite feeling overlooked, the veteran defensive back made it clear he’s going all in with his new team — confident that he can lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy for a second straight year.

“I feel highly disrespected, but it’s a business,” Gardner-Johnson told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. “Never was an All-Pro or Pro Bowl! Never! Led the league in interceptions. What more do you want?

C.J. Gardner-Johnson #8 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after beating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 to win Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

“People say, ‘He’s a hazard, he’s this, he’s that.’ I never been no hazard, bro. They got no real issues on me. That black ball ain’t going to work on me, because I got me a ring. I got me one. I got three more championships in me. I’m probably going to win the next three. I’m going to get me another Super Bowl this year. Just watch.“

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The reasons behind his departure from the Eagles

Still fresh from his departure from the reigning NFL champions, Gardner-Johnson expressed frustration over the trade, insisting that the reasons behind it go beyond financial matters.

“It wasn’t about money,” he said. “If it was about money, everybody would have been gone. How can I say this the most respectful way? Saquon deserved it. Zack deserved it, but the reasons behind it, the fans don’t deserve that reason.

“It’s deeper than that. The fans don’t deserve, ‘It’s about the money,’ because if that was the case, my contract was safe.”

Fresh start and high hopes with the Texans

The departure from the Eagles is now behind him, and Gardner-Johnson is fully focused on his new challenge: leading Houston to another AFC South title. The veteran knows there’s plenty of talent on this team, and reaching the Super Bowl is far from a pipe dream.

“I mean, you guys played a lot of good ball here, but I don’t think they understand what it means to win when it matters,” he said. “I’m not talking discredit to the team. I’m just saying I’ve been in a lot situations where, from Detroit to New Orleans to Philly, I’ve got to win when it matters and I’ve been in games where I had to step up.

“For me, championships means more to me than just winning a football game right now because I’m getting older. I’m playing with a lot of younger guys who understand like, yeah, the money’s here, but it’s more on when you can win and get a championship, you know?”