The Philadelphia Eagles have traded veteran defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans, and the defending Super Bowl champions landed a promising young lineman in the deal.
The Eagles on Tuesday agreed to send Gardner-Johnson to Houston for 23-year-old offensive lineman Kenyon Green, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal also includes a pick swap, with the Eagles getting a 2026 fifth-round pick and the Texans getting a 2026 sixth-round pick.
Gardner-Johnson signed a three-year, $27 million deal with the Eagles last offseason. He had previously played for the team in 2022 after Philadelphia acquired him in a trade with the New Orleans Saints. Gardner-Johnson became a free agent after that season and then spent a year with the Detroit Lions in 2023.
Gardner-Johnson started 16 games for the Eagles last season. He had 59 total tackles and tied a career high with six interceptions in the regular season. The 27-year-old then played a big role in the playoffs with 14 total tackles across four postseason games, including six in a tight Divisional Round win over the Los Angeles Rams.
Green was drafted by the Texans with the 15th overall pick out of Texas A&M in 2022. He started 14 games as a rookie and struggled in pass protection. Green has battled injuries since and failed to live up to his potential.
Gardner-Johnson should have a chance to step into an immediate starting role with Houston. The Eagles are in need of offensive line depth, so they are likely hoping Green will benefit from a change of scenery.
