Controversial safety CJ Gardner-Johnson has been released by the Baltimore Ravens just one week after signing with the team, according to reports.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news on Tuesday, claiming the two parties came to ‘an amicable mutual decision’ merely seven days after Gardner-Johnson was added to the Ravens’ practice squad.
The player’s agent, Kevin Conner, says his client was keen to leave Baltimore when they also acquired veteran safety Alohi Gilman from the Los Angeles Chargers last week as part of a trade involving pass rusher Odafe Oweh.
‘After the Ravens traded for a safety, we were looking for a clearer path to play,’ Conner is quoted as saying.
It marks a miserable few weeks for Gardner-Johnson after he was also cut by the Houston Texans back on September 23.
The 27-year-old was traded to Houston just weeks after helping the Philadelphia Eagles win the Super Bowl in February, before he became a free agent after just three games with his new team.
Controversial safety CJ Gardner-Johnson has been released by the Baltimore Ravens
Gardner-Johnson (right) only moved to Baltimore this month after being cut by the Texans
KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reported at the time that Gardner-Johnson was a disruptive voice behind the scenes, criticizing his Texans teammates in the secondary, questioning the size of one of their contracts and expressing frustration with his own role in the team.
He reportedly wanted to blitz more often and even requested a trade, while frequently comparing Houston’s situation to the Eagles’ 2023 Super Bowl-winning team, where he played a key role.
These complaints, combined with underwhelming on-field performance and three straight losses, ultimately led the Texans to release him after less than six months.
He then managed to find a new landing spot in Baltimore just two weeks later, only for his stint with the Ravens to prove extremely short-lived.
Gardner-Johnson’s latest setback will be music to the ears of Taylor Swift fans, who rejoiced when he was cut by the Texans after he brutally mocked their beloved singer after Super Bowl LIX.
The then-Eagles star made headlines when he appeared at their victory parade wearing a sweatshirt that read ‘Swifties can LIX my balls’ following their win over Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Just days earlier, he had also shared an Instagram story mocking Kelce and referencing his ex-girlfriend Kayla Nicole, a post many Swifties viewed as body-shaming the pop superstar.
The ex-Philadelphia Eagles star infuriated Taylor Swift fans by wearing an insulting T-shirt about them after his Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this year
Following his Texans release last month, Swift’s loyal followers didn’t need a second invitation to celebrate on social media.
‘Karma is a beautiful thing,’ one fan wrote on X, referencing the singer’s hit song.
Another user shared a photo of the player wearing the offensive sweatshirt earlier this year and added: ‘Life comes at you fast.’
Gardner-Johnson previously played alongside Jason Kelce – Travis’ older brother – during his time in Philadelphia.
Swift, who recently got engaged to Kelce, has not publicly responded to the controversy.
