The Buffalo Bills have released veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the team announced Tuesday. The move comes days after Gardner-Johnson completed a one-game suspension for a spitting incident during Buffalo's Week 6 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Gardner-Johnson, 28, was caught on NFL on CBS cameras spitting in the direction of Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and center Tyler Linderbaum. He was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, ejected, and subsequently suspended for one game by the NFL. He served the suspension during Buffalo's Week 8 win over the Baltimore Ravens following the team's Week 7 bye.
While the incident contributed to the decision, ESPN reports the release was primarily due to inconsistent play in the secondary. The organization reportedly felt there were too many "what the hell is he doing" plays. Through six games this season, Gardner-Johnson allowed a 64.7% completion rate and an 83.5 passer rating when targeted.
Damar Hamlin started in place of Gardner-Johnson against Baltimore and is considered the favorite to assume the starting role. Hamlin recorded five tackles and a pass defended in the victory.
Gardner-Johnson signed a one-year, $6 million contract with Buffalo in March. A fourth-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2019, he spent three seasons there before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022. He has since played for the Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, and Chicago Bears before joining the Bills this offseason.
