Houston Texans Land CJ Gardner-Johnson in Surprise Trade, Moving on From Kenyon Green
- Mar 13
- 5 min read
The Houston Texans pulled off one of the most unexpected trades of the offseason, sending former first-round pick Kenyon Green and a fifth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and a sixth-round pick. On the surface, this deal looks like an absolute win for the Texans, moving on from an underperforming offensive lineman while landing a proven playmaker for their secondary. However, there are deeper layers to this trade that explain why both sides made this move.
Texans Move on From Kenyon Green, Continuing an Offensive Line Rebuild
Kenyon Green was drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft to be a long-term solution at guard, but his tenure in Houston never lived up to expectations. Injuries plagued his entire time with the Texans, and reports suggested that not being consistently healthy and in peak shape hindered his development. After finally having a fully healthy offseason and reportedly being in the best shape of his career, Green still had one of his worst seasons, reinforcing the need for a fresh start.
At times, when things start to spiral for a young player, it can become a mental hurdle that makes improvement nearly impossible within that same team environment. That appeared to be the case for Green in Houston, and moving on gives both sides a chance to reset. The Texans have been aggressive in revamping their offensive line after last year’s struggles, and Green’s departure is another step in that process. The team quickly signed veteran guard Laken Tomlinson to a one-year, $4.25 million deal following the trade, effectively replacing Green’s role with a more reliable option.
The Eagles, on the other hand, are betting on Green’s potential. Philadelphia’s offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland has a track record of developing struggling linemen, and Green’s best traits—his size and physicality in the run game—could be better utilized in the Eagles’ offensive scheme. This follows a similar approach the Eagles took last year with Mekhi Becton, another former first-rounder who found new life as a guard in Philly. If Green can stay healthy and regain confidence, this could be an opportunity for him to reset his career.
Eagles’ Perspective: Cap Savings and a Developmental Lineman
For the Eagles, the trade was less about acquiring Green and more about the financial flexibility it provided. C.J. Gardner-Johnson carried a $4.9 million cap hit for 2025, and with key contract extensions looming for players like Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Cam Jurgens, Philadelphia made the proactive decision to move off Gardner-Johnson’s deal before he entered a contract year. This follows a similar approach that Texans GM Nick Caserio used when he traded Laremy Tunsil in a cap-related move, knowing that a massive extension was coming.
Gardner-Johnson himself acknowledged the business side of the move. In a livestream following the trade, he described his conversation with Eagles GM Howie Roseman as a “great call” and noted that he understood the decision, saying, “the young guys needed to get paid.” His only request was to be sent to a “winner,” and with the Texans coming off an AFC Divisional Round appearance, that request was granted.
As for Kenyon Green, Philadelphia sees a low-risk, high-upside move. He was an elite gap-run blocker in college but struggled in Houston’s wide-zone system under offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. With the Eagles’ offensive line favoring more power-man blocking concepts, Green might be in a better position to revive his career.
Texans Upgrade an Already Elite Secondary
Houston didn’t just unload a struggling player; they also added a true difference-maker in the secondary. C.J. Gardner-Johnson brings versatility, physicality, and playmaking ability to a Texans defense that already ranked among the league’s best.
One of the biggest takeaways from this trade is what it signals for the Texans’ defensive backfield. Head coach DeMeco Ryans recently spoke about veteran safety Jimmie Ward, acknowledging his talent but also emphasizing the need for him to stay healthy. Gardner-Johnson provides immediate insurance in case Ward struggles with injuries again.
The Texans' starting secondary now projects as:
Strong Safety: C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Free Safety: Calen Bullock
Nickel/StarRole: Jalen Pitre
Outside Corners: Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter
Pitre, who has often been viewed as a safety, took on the "star" role in Houston’s 4-2-5 defense last year, a position that blends linebacker and slot coverage responsibilities. Meanwhile, Ward could rotate between nickel, strong safety, and free safety, a role that might suit him better given his durability concerns. If Ward is unhappy with the move, a potential trade could be in play, but for now, his experience and versatility still make him valuable in a rotational role.
This trade also revealed that Houston was actively looking for safety help. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Texans inquired about Dolphins safety Jevon Holland before he signed a three-year, $45 million contract with the Giants. Given that Houston was unwilling to pay that price, landing Gardner-Johnson on a more manageable contract is a significant win.
Financial Implications and Contract Outlook
From a cap perspective, the Texans get a great player on a favorable contract. Gardner-Johnson's cap hit for 2025 is just $3.7 million, reduced from his initial hit in Philadelphia due to dead cap the Eagles absorbed. His 2026 cap hit rises to $4.6 million, with a void year in 2027 carrying an $11.9 million dead cap charge.
Given Gardner-Johnson’s talent and importance to the defense, Houston could consider restructuring his deal with more guaranteed money, similar to how they handled Stefon Diggs’ contract after trading for him. However, as it stands, this trade effectively swapped out Kenyon Green’s cap hit for Gardner-Johnson’s for this year, making it a smart financial move.
Immediate Replacement for Kenyon Green
Trading Green left Houston with another hole on the offensive line, but the Texans wasted no time addressing it. Shortly after the trade, they signed veteran guard Laken Tomlinson to a one-year, $4.25 million contract—essentially the same cap hit that Green carried.
Tomlinson brings reliability and durability, something Green never provided. While he could compete for a starting role, he’s more likely to serve as a valuable depth piece. With this move, the Texans have now moved on from three of their five original starting offensive linemen from last season—Laremy Tunsil, Shaq Mason, and now Green.
Final Thoughts: Texans Secure a Playmaker, Eagles Bet on Development
At first glance, this trade looked like a massive win for Houston. Moving on from an underperforming first-round pick while acquiring a top-tier safety is a rare opportunity in the NFL. However, when considering the Eagles’ long-term cap strategy and their track record of reviving struggling linemen, it makes sense why both sides pulled the trigger.
Still, from Houston’s perspective, this is a fantastic move. Gardner-Johnson immediately elevates the secondary, adds depth to account for Jimmie Ward’s durability concerns, and comes at a reasonable cost. The Texans also replaced Green with a steady veteran in Tomlinson, ensuring the offensive line doesn’t take a step back in terms of losing Green.
For a team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations, this was a move that could help push the Texans to the next level.
Checkout my interview with Texans ESPN reported DJ Bien-Aime, who broke the news of this trade here: https://www.youtube.com/live/tqSpOV21xg4?si=sa6Q0Gr41i-u1Q3D
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