Sources: Texans acquire Eagles’ Gardner-Johnson

HOUSTON — The Texans are trading for Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson in exchange for left guard Kenyon Green, sources told ESPN.

The deal also includes a pick swap, with the Eagles getting a 2026 fifth-round pick and the Texans getting a 2026 sixth-rounder. Gardner-Johnson is a known ball hawk, with six interceptions in 2024 and 2022 for the Eagles in separate stints. The Texans lost starting safety Eric Murray to the Jacksonville Jaguars on a three-year, $22.5 million deal in free agency, so they’ll use Gardner-Johnson to fill that void.

Gardner-Johnson joins a Houston pass defense that ranked sixth in passing yards allowed (201) and 13th in scoring defense (21.9). Gardner-Johnson’s 18 career interceptions fit right in with what the Texans defense did last year as they ranked second in interceptions (19).

Gardner-Johnson acknowledged the trade by expressing his “love” for Philadelphia in a post on X Tuesday morning.

This is the Texans’ second trade regarding the offensive line since the beginning of free agency. On Monday, Houston traded left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders for third-and seventh-rounders in 2025 and second-and fourth-rounders in 2026. The Commanders also will receive a fourth-round pick this spring from Houston.

Green started 23 games in his career for the Texans but in 2024 was benched after struggling in protecting quarterback C.J. Stroud. Houston also released starting right guard Shaq Mason before the start of free agency.

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