News
Sports News
C.J. Gardner-Johnson Traded After Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift Drama — Did the Eagles Have Enough of His Off-Field Antics?

C.J. Gardner-Johnson Traded After Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift Drama — Did the Eagles Have Enough of His Off-Field Antics?

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 12, 2025, 16:52 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

The Philadelphia Eagles traded safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans. In return, the Eagles received offensive lineman Kenyon Green and a 2026 fifth-round pick. The Texans also received a 2026 sixth-rounder. Gardner-Johnson expressed pride in his time with the Eagles. Philadelphia is making major moves on defense this offseason, reshaping their roster for the new season.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson Traded After Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift Drama — Did the Eagles Have Enough of His Off-Field Antics?

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The 2025 NFL offseason just threw us a curveball — and it’s not just about football. The Philadelphia Eagles have shocked everyone by trading star safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans, but the move feels like it has a little more spice than your average offseason deal.

Trade Details: What Did the Eagles Get in Return?

According to ESPN, the deal saw the Eagles sending C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Houston in exchange for offensive lineman Kenyon Green and a 2026 fifth-round pick. The Texans also received a 2026 sixth-rounder as part of the swap.

For Houston, this is a bold move to bolster their defense, adding a ball-hawking safety who notched six interceptions during his time in Philly. As for the Eagles, they’re clearly reshaping their roster heading into the new season.
While he’s leaving Philly behind, Gardner-Johnson had nothing but love for the city in his farewell message, saying, “This decision wasn’t mine, but I walk away proud of what we built together.”

C.J. Gardner-Johnson's Exit Follows Super Bowl Win and Travis Kelce Controversy

Fresh off the Eagles’ dominant 40-22 Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs, Gardner-Johnson found himself making headlines for more than just his defensive skills. The 27-year-old stirred the pot by taking shots at Chiefs star Travis Kelce and his girlfriend, Taylor Swift.
First, he posted a not-so-subtle Instagram story suggesting Travis Kelce should’ve stuck with his ex, Kayla Nicole.

Then, during the Eagles' victory parade, he sported a hoodie reading, "Swifties can LIX my balls"—a crude reference to Super Bowl LIX.

While it’s unclear if his off-field antics played a role in the trade, the timing is hard to ignore. Shortly after the dust settled from the Super Bowl celebrations, the Eagles shipped Gardner-Johnson to the Texans.

The Eagles' Defensive Overhaul Continues

Gardner-Johnson's departure isn’t the only big change for the reigning Super Bowl champs. Philadelphia is making major moves on defense:

Zach Baun Re-Signed: The Eagles locked down star linebacker Zach Baun with a 3-year, $51 million deal.
Veteran Cuts: Philly cut ties with secondary veterans Darius Slay and James Bradberry.
Josh Sweat Heads to Arizona: The Cardinals swooped in and signed linebacker Josh Sweat to a 4-year, $76.4 million deal.

With a new team and a fresh start, all eyes will be on how Gardner-Johnson channels his fire—both on and off the field—in Houston.
The 2025 offseason is already delivering drama, and we're just getting started.
Also read - Bengals Cut Ties with Trey Hendrickson to Free Up $16M — Supporting Joe Burrow's Core with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins

Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, and live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Find out how to watch IPL 2025 in Canada and the USA.

About the Author

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

End of Article