The Buffalo Bills released safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson on Tuesday, ending his brief tenure with the franchise just a day after he completed a one-game NFL suspension for spitting at an opponent. The 28-year-old defensive back started the first six games of the season for Buffalo before his abrupt departure from the organization.
Gardner-Johnson recorded 26 tackles, two pass breakups, and one interception during his six appearances for the Bills after signing a one-year deal with the club during the offseason. His release comes in the wake of an incident during Week 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders, where he was ejected just before halftime for spitting in the direction of tight end Brock Bowers.
Following the on-field confrontation, the league handed Gardner-Johnson a one-game suspension, which forced him to sit out last Sunday's victory against the Baltimore Ravens. While the suspension drew considerable scrutiny, team sources indicated that inconsistencies within his defensive performances also influenced the decision to move on from the veteran.
During his six games in the secondary, Gardner-Johnson allowed a 64.7% completion rate and an 83.5 passer rating against him, prompting the coaching staff to re-evaluate their personnel options. With his departure, the Bills will look toward alternative choices in the defensive backfield, including veteran safeties Damar Hamlin and Geno Stone alongside rookie Jalon Kilgore.
Hamlin started in place of the suspended defender during the win over Baltimore, registering five tackles and a pass defended to strengthen his case for an extended role. Team officials noted that the remaining safeties offer superior special teams value compared with Gardner-Johnson, who did not log any special teams snaps during his time on the field.
Gardner-Johnson entered the NFL as a fourth-round draft selection by the New Orleans Saints in 2019, spending his first three professional seasons with the franchise. He has since experienced a nomadic stretch across the league, making stops with several organizations and winning a Super Bowl title as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024.
Having cleared his suspension and hit the open market, Gardner-Johnson is now subject to league waivers before potentially becoming an unrestricted free agent. The Bills, meanwhile, turn their attention toward the next phase of their defensive campaign as they prepare to solidify their secondary rotation for the remainder of the season.
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