C.J. Gardner-Johnson was released by the Houston Texans after just three games due to multiple issues. Primarily, he struggled to adapt to the Texans' defensive scheme, which led to several big plays against their defense. He also caused friction behind the scenes by complaining about his role and wanting to blitz more. Additionally, Gardner-Johnson was reportedly critical of his teammates, particularly in the secondary, and did not take responsibility for his mistakes. These issues created locker room problems, and head coach DeMeco Ryans decided that moving on from Gardner-Johnson was best for the team despite Gardner-Johnson's talent. The release came amid the Texans' 0-3 start to the season, with the team prioritizing a team-first mentality and cohesiveness over individual talent.