Bills Cut CJ Gardner-Johnson After Communication Issues

Bills' Safety Duo

Under former head coach Sean McDermott, the Buffalo Bills had the same safety duo for the majority of seven straight seasons from 2017 to 2023.

All-Pro Safety Pairs

Former All-Pro defensive backs Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer became the definition of professional safety play in the NFL.

Leadership on Field

Both defenders were leaders for the franchise on and off the field for their entire time on the roster.

New Defensive Pairing

The Bills shifted to a new defensive dynamic under first-year head coach Joe Brady and new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard this offseason.

CJ Gardner-Johnson Release

The Bills released veteran safety CJ Gardner-Johnson prior to Week 9, leaving Buffalo in an interesting situation moving forward.

Communication Issues

Poyer says Gardner-Johnson's communication style clashed with the Bills' defense, making the pairing ineffective.

Poyer's Insight

Poyer saw the communication issues during training camp when Gardner-Johnson was live streaming.

Poyer's Quote

I saw this coming in training camp when [Gardner-Johnson] was live streaming during training camp.

“Look, man, I’m not gonna’ lie. I saw this coming in training camp when [Gardner-Johnson] was live streaming during training camp.”

Communication Barrier

Poyer says there was a boundary between what the Bills wanted and what Gardner-Johnson wanted on the field.

Poyer's Conclusion

Poyer says Gardner-Johnson's style didn't fit the Bills' defense, so he's not surprised by the move.

Bills' Defense Performance

Leonhard's defense showed signs of improvement against Baltimore, supporting the move.

Trade Deadline Question

The Bills must decide whether to trade for a new safety or keep their current roster for the second half of the season.

Trade Deadline

The trade deadline approaches on Tuesday, November 10, with the Bills' decision pending.