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Defensive back CJ Gardner-Johnson

Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson is never shy about taking shots at his former team.

The former Philadelphia Eagles star has frequently taken aim at the team and its fans, doing so again this week amid growing trade rumors surrounding wide receiver A.J. Brown. Gardner-Johnson stuck up for his former teammate, saying fans are not showing proper appreciation for all he had done for the franchise.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson Defends A.J. Brown

There have been rumors building for weeks that the Eagles plan to trade Brown to the New England Patriots, even though there have been no public indications that a deal is coming soon. Gardner-Johnson sounded off on the situation, taking to social media to accuse Eagles fans of being too hard on the former Pro Bowl receiver.

“Philly turned on AJ so bad it’s sad! Yall love us when we help yall win but [expletive] why yall bashing Bruda now ?!” Gardner-Johnson wrote in a post on X.

The remarks stirred some controversy, leading to pushback from Eagles fans who thought his attack was misplaced. Some claimed that it was Brown who first wanted out of Philadelphia.

The Bills were once seen as contenders for Brown, but he now appears destined to join the Patriots as long as the expected trade can be completed.

This is not the first time Gardner-Johnson has taken aim at his former team. The veteran safety had even harsher words for Eagles fans after the 2022 season, when he left the Eagles to join the Detroit Lions. As ESPN reported, Gardner-Johnson called the Philadelphia fans “obnoxious” and said he “[expletive] can’t stand the [expletives]” at his introductory press conference in Detroit.

Gardner-Johnson later walked back the statement, apologizing to the fans.

“I do owe the fans of Philly an apology,” he wrote on social media after agreeing to sign for a second time with the Eagles. “Regardless this is an amazing place and we had some memories together! Let’s go get us one #FlyEaglesFly.”

C.J. Gardner-Johnson Could Play Big Role in Buffalo

Gardner-Johnson has already made a big impression with the Bills, earning praise from head coach Joe Brady at the team’s optional practices this week. Brady told reporters that the veteran safety has helped set a strong tone in the locker room.

“He loves to compete,” Brady said. “(He’s) done a great job in the weight room. You can hear him. The way the strength coach is talking about how he’s been setting a tone and leading, I was extremely excited that we were able to get him … Really excited about what he can do for this football team.”

The Bills have undergone some big changes in their secondary, allowing veteran safety Jordan Poyer to hit free agency and parting ways with fellow safety Taylor Rapp. The Bills also released cornerback Dane Jackson and traded nickel corner Taron Johnson.

The moves could pave the way for Gardner-Johnson to play a significant role in 2026, and he will likely enter training camp as a favorite to start alongside safety Cole Bishop.