The Buffalo Bills released safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson on Tuesday, moving on from the veteran defensive back just one day after he completed a one-game suspension for spitting at an opponent. The decision, which contradicts earlier team comments, marks the end of a six-game tenure in Buffalo that saw the organization conclude that the baggage outweighed the boost.
Bills Cut C.J. Gardner-Johnson
The move frees up $500,000 in cap space at the cost of $2.02 million in dead money following his ejection from a Week 6 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, which the Bills won 33-30.
Te’Cory Couch Joins Active Roster
Buffalo filled the vacancy created by Gardner-Johnson’s departure by officially signing Te’Cory Couch to the 53-man roster. Couch, who had appeared twice as a practice squad elevation this season, earned the spot after an eye-opening performance against the Baltimore Ravens on November 1. Couch’s opportunity was a result of his progress in defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s scheme.
#Bills are moving on from veteran safety C. J. Gardner-Johnson, per a league source
Boom, you're up,
said head coach Joe Brady. Being able to make plays on the football, critical tackles, the involvement he has on special teams. And so it's going to be like that moving forward.
Safety Damar Hamlin, who stepped into the starting lineup during Gardner-Johnson’s suspension for the 36-10 win over Baltimore, added, He's been waiting on the opportunity for years, and it finally came his way, and I think he made the most of it.
Leonhard noted that the communication in the secondary represented a noticeable improvement over what was shown during the first six weeks.
Analysts Question Defensive Impact
The decision drew criticism from NFL analyst Emmanuel Acho, who argued on the show Speakeasy that the Bills lacked a defensive “enforcer” without Gardner-Johnson. I think you need an enforcer. The Bills do not have an enforcer on that defense,
Acho said, describing other Buffalo defenders like Terrell Bernard, Ed Oliver, Greg Rousseau, and Dorian Williams as good players, but not an enforcer.
Acho suggested that having Gardner-Johnson on the field served to strike fear in the opposition and force receivers to hesitate before coming across the middle.
Gardner-Johnson Journeys Through NFL
Gardner-Johnson’s exit from Orchard Park marks the seventh team he has played for in his eight-year career. Originally a fourth-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in the 2019 NFL Draft, he spent three seasons there before starting a journey that included stops with the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, and Chicago Bears. His time in Philadelphia was particularly notable; he played for the Eagles in 2022 and 2024, helping them reach the Super Bowl in both seasons and winning the title in 2024. During his career, he has registered 396 tackles, seven sacks, and 21 interceptions across 93 games. Despite his history of producing turnovers, he has struggled to remain with a single team for multiple consecutive years since his initial stint in New Orleans concluded in 2021.
More on Cory Couch
Bills released S C. J. Gardner-Johnson.
The Bills have released S C. J. Gardner-Johnson, according to a source.
Sources: The #Bills are releasing safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. Gardner-Johnson, who has started 6 games for Buffalo, did not play on Sunday due to a 1-game suspension for a spitting incident in the Raiders game. pic.twitter.com/X1a5G48J08
The @BuffaloBills released C. J. Gardner-Johnson and kept Te’Cory Couch on the active roster. The suspension created a temporary opening; today’s move keeps Couch in it. Buffalo has not announced him as the starting safety. https://t.co/zr9f1XrHvk