If anyone knows what a championship-caliber roster looks like, it’s C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
The newest member of the Houston Texans’ secondary spent the last three seasons playing in the NFC Championship and a pair of Super Bowls. In 2022, he led the Eagles in interceptions but came up short in the big game against Patrick Mahomes in Glendale.
The following season, his Detroit Lions couldn’t excute a late-quarter drive against the San Francisco 49ers out west.
Last season, after inking a three-year deal to return to Philadelphia, Gardner-Johnson once more impacted the Eagles’ defense throughout the regular season, once again helping the NFC East franchise make it to the Super Bowl in New Orleans. The difference? Philly finished the job and then some against Mahomes in the Chiefs for their first title since 2017.
All three teams were good enough to hoist up a Lombardi Trophy. So, when asked how good the Texans were entering the new season, Gardner-Johnson made it known there’s a championship culture on the sidelines.
“This is a Super Bowl-caliber team,” Gardner-Johnson said of Houston’s roster. “You’ve got guys who go out there and show it week in, week out.”
It’s not shocking to hear Gardner-Johnson speak highly of his new team following a trade this offseason. When he arrived in the building back in April, his motto for the season was “championship or nothing,” for the team that thought his services were needed.
CJGJ (@CGJXXIII) on competing vs the Texans WRs:
“It like Daytona 500. We running fast every play. Everybody fast. All the cars competing for 1st place. We got a fast receiving core.. probably one of the fastest cores I done seen.” pic.twitter.com/WLPts44eMJ
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) July 30, 2025
That’s the goal for the back-to-back AFC South champs entering Year 3 under DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud. The Texans have won 10-plus games in each of the past two years, but it’s accumulated to is pair of divisional round appearances against the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a touchdown-plus loss.
Ryans, who played for Houston in its first-ever playoff games, knows what type of talent is needed to make it to the Super Bowl. He coached it in San Francisco before returning to the Texans in 2023, meaning he too believes Gardner-Johnson’s impact is much more than just a name on the roster.
“You’re adding a Pro Bowl, All-Pro caliber player with a Super Bowl pedigree who’s done it at a high level and brings others along with him. He’s a true leader by example and by talking. He does a really great job of motivating guys, getting guys to go.”
Houston’s secondary could be the backbone of the roster this fall. Headlined by All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., the Texans’ back five have been the talk of training camp after winning most of their one-on-one battles in team drills over the past weeks.
CJGJ on being in a DeMeco Ryans defense:
“We get to ATTACK.. I’m loving it.” pic.twitter.com/bdeE2vSv2w
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) August 2, 2025
It’s not just Stingley, who’s locked into a long-term deal through 2030 after becoming the highest-paid cornerback this offseason. Second-year cornerback Kamari Lassiter looks more fluid in coverage and physical near the line of scrimmage. Fellow 2024 draft pick Calen Bullock has made at least one “wow” play in practice each day since pads came on last Monday.
But Gardner-Johnson could be the spark to take them over the top. Jalen Pitre said one can notice a difference in both attitude and ability in practice with No. 23 joining the roster.
“Just to add another guy who’s gonna do the same thing is not gonna do anything but continue to uplift us and continue to motivate us. I’m thankful that he’s on our team and he’s going to continue to motivate, push and inspire all of us, offense and defense. He’s for sure a dog.”
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: C.J. Gardner-Johnson believes Texans have a ‘Super Bowl-caliber’ team