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C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Eagles traded me because they're scared of a competitor

C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Eagles traded me because they're scared of a competitor

NBC Sports16-07-2025
C.J. Gardner-Johnson helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl in February, but he was traded to the Texans in March. And Gardner-Johnson thinks the Eagles got rid of him because they don't like his competitive approach.
Gardner Johnson was asked on The Pivot podcast why he thinks he's not an Eagle anymore.
'Scared of a competitor,' Gardner-Johnson answered. 'Simple as that.'
Gardner-Johnson felt that he wasn't supported by his coaches when he was ejected from a late-season game against the Commanders, and that he was blamed for a postseason practice scrum. In both cases, Gardner-Johnson said he was just letting the competitive juices flow.
'We had a little scrum at practice,' Gardner-Johnson said. 'Nothing, just offense vs. defense, but who's the culprit of it? Me, I guess, because we're competing. Well, you tell me the period is live. You're telling us not to compete during a live period, but it's a live period and we're getting ready for a playoff game?'
Gardner-Johnson indicated that teammates have never has a problem with his competitive approach, but coaches and front office executives have.
'You want me to be a leader and outspoken but then you want me to sit back,' Gardner-Johnson said. 'There's nowhere been a locker room where I had a single issue with a teammate.'
Now Gardner-Johnson will bring his competitiveness to Houston.
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Honorable Mentions: Darrelle Revis, Willie Brown Our four-part series continues on Tuesday, July 29, with the greatest players in NFL history to wear Nos. 25-49. Ralph Vacchiano is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports. He spent the previous six years covering the Giants and Jets for SNY TV in New York, and before that, 16 years covering the Giants and the NFL for the New York Daily News. Follow him on Twitter at @RalphVacchiano . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

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