The Buffalo Bills released safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson on Tuesday, days after he served a one-game suspension for spitting at an opponent during a win over the Las Vegas Raiders, RDS, USA Today’s SaintsWire and Heavy.com reported. The move ends a brief stint in Buffalo for the 28-year-old defensive back, who played six games for the 6-1 Bills this season.
Gardner-Johnson was ejected from Buffalo’s 33-30 victory over the Raiders on Oct. 18 after spitting in the direction of Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, RDS reported. The league subsequently suspended him for one game, causing him to miss Buffalo’s most recent contest. Heavy.com additionally reported that the incident also involved Raiders center Tyler Linderbaum.
Released S C. J. Gardner-Johnson.
The Release and the Reason Behind It
NFL insider Jordan Schultz first reported the transaction, writing on X: “Sources: The #Bills are releasing safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.” USA Today’s SaintsWire confirmed the Bills announced the release Tuesday after the suspension had been served.
While the timing followed the suspension, ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe reported that the decision stemmed from Gardner-Johnson’s inconsistent play rather than the suspension itself, according to RDS. The safety recorded 26 tackles and one interception in his six appearances for Buffalo, RDS reported.
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
Coach Joe Brady’s Response to the Incident
Bills head coach Joe Brady addressed the spitting incident after the Raiders game, making clear the behavior violated team standards. “He knows that that can’t happen. That’s inexcusable. That’s not the standard that we’re going to have and play with,” Brady said, according to Heavy.com. “He’s addressed it, it’s been addressed.”
“It can’t happen. That’s why that’s not what we’re about. That’s not what the game of football’s about. And he knows that. And I’m understanding of why he was kicked out of the game.” — Bills head coach Joe Brady, via Heavy.com
Brady said he held private conversations with Gardner-Johnson following the incident and addressed the matter in a team meeting, adding at the time that the organization would not impose additional punishment beyond the NFL’s one-game suspension.
A Career Defined by Movement
Gardner-Johnson, a native of Cocoa, Florida, was playing his eighth NFL season and his first with Buffalo. The Bills marked his sixth different team since the New Orleans Saints selected him in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, RDS reported.
After being traded from New Orleans to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022, he signed with the Detroit Lions in 2023 before returning to Philadelphia in 2024, where he won a Super Bowl, USA Today’s SaintsWire reported. The Eagles traded him to the Houston Texans in 2025; Houston released him, the Baltimore Ravens briefly signed him to their practice squad, and he later joined the Chicago Bears, where he reunited with former coach Dennis Allen, before Buffalo signed him this spring, according to SaintsWire.
USA Today’s SaintsWire noted that Gardner-Johnson’s time with the Eagles ended partly because Philadelphia declined to guarantee significant money on a long-term deal, a pattern that also occurred in New Orleans. The outlet reported that friction with coaches and teammates at various stops had worn out his welcome on multiple occasions.
What Comes Next for Buffalo
The Bills, at 6-1, return to action Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings, RDS reported. The release leaves Buffalo seeking depth in the secondary, a need Heavy.com highlighted given Gardner-Johnson had been expected to provide a boost after a strong 2025 season with Chicago.
Gardner-Johnson, now a free agent, could attract interest from another team seeking veteran safety help, though his next destination remains unconfirmed, USA Today’s SaintsWire reported.
More on Johnson
Related reading
