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CJ Gardner-Johnson sends cryptic message.
The Buffalo Bills made a bold move to sign safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to bolster the defense.
Gardner-Johnson is known to be an intense player who will help revamp the Bills’ secondary and defense with intensity. Yet, during the NFL Draft, Buffalo has been linked to safety help, to pair alongside Cole Bishop, as the player could sit for a year and learn from Gardner-Johnson.
Yet, after Round 1 of the NFL Draft and before Rounds 2 and 3 on April 24, Gardner-Johnson sent a cryptic message on social media.
“The grass ain’t always greener on the other side,” Gardner-Johnson wrote on X.
What Gardner-Johnson is posting about is unclear, as some fans believe it’s about A.J. Brown and the Philadelphia Eagles, as that is his former teammate and team.
However, some Bills fans are worried he’s already taking shots at his new team, as Stefon Diggs did.
“Are you suggesting that the grass isn’t greener in Buffalo please don’t be cryptic like Diggs was. Tell us what you mean, brother,” a fan wrote.
“You know that firsthand,” a fan added.
However, most fans believe it is about Brown and the Eagles and don’t understand why Gardner-Johnson was posting about it.
“Have u tweeted about the bills literally once,” a fan wrote.
“alright gang you play for the bills like give it a rest,” a fan added.
“CJ I love you and we love AJ but are you aware AJ is the one who doesn’t want to be in Philly? Tf are they supposed to do???,” a fan wrote.
For now, Brown remains on the Eagles, but a trade does seem likely, and Gardner-Johnson is worrying Philadelphia fans already.
Bills HC Eager to Have Gardner-Johnson
Buffalo signed Gardner-Johnson to a one-year deal to help bolster the secondary, and new head coach Joe Brady is eager to coach him.
Gardner-Johnson is an intense competitor, and Brady is excited to have that in the locker room and on the field.
“He loves to compete,” Brady said of Gardner-Johnson when speaking to reporters recently. “(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.”
Gardner-Johnson is expected to start at safety alongside Bishop. Buffalo also signed Geno Stone to a one-year deal to add depth to the position, while Damar Hamlin and Jordan Hancock are also expected to serve as depth at safety.
Gardner-Johnson recorded 66 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions last season between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans. He won Super Bowl LIX with the Eagles.
What Picks Does Buffalo Have in NFL Draft?
The Bills didn’t make a selection in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, as Buffalo traded back three times.
Ahead of Day 2 of the NFL Draft, the Bills have nine total picks, including the third pick in the second round.
Buffalo’s 2026 draft picks entering Day 2 are as follows:
Round 2: No. 35 overall (from Tennessee Titans)
Round 3: No. 66 overall (from Tennessee Titans)
Round 4: No. 101 overall (from Tennessee Titans)
Round 4: No. 125 overall (from New England Patriots)
Round 4: No. 126 overall
Round 5: No. 167 overall (from Houston Texans)
Round 5: No. 168 overall
Round 6: No. 182 overall (from Las Vegas Raiders)
Round 7: No. 220 overall (from New York Jets)
With all the picks, the Bills could package them to trade up in the third round, or use them all to select impact players.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL, MLB, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
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