Buffalo Bills release safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson

The Buffalo Bills have released veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson after he appeared in six games for the franchise this season. The move comes just one day after the 28-year-old completed a one-game suspension for an incident in which he spat toward Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers.

While the spitting incident and subsequent ejection drew significant attention, reports indicate that Gardner-Johnson’s inconsistent on-field performance was the primary driver for the decision. During his tenure in Buffalo, he recorded 26 tackles, two pass breakups, and one interception, but struggled with tackling efficiency and coverage assignments.

Gardner-Johnson, who signed a one-year deal worth up to $6 million in the offseason, becomes a free agent. His career has been characterized by frequent team changes, having previously played for the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, and Chicago Bears.