Bills release Super Bowl champion safety after serving suspension for spitting incident

The Buffalo Bills released Super Bowl champion safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson on Tuesday following his suspension for spitting at an opponent.

Gardner-Johnson's last moment in a Bills uniform came in the first half of their Week 6 win over the Las Vegas Raiders when he spat at center Tyler Linderbaum and tight end Brock Bowers just before halftime. The 28-year-old was ejected from the game.

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The Bills had their bye week in Week 7, and Gardner-Johnson served his suspension during the Bills' 36-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8. During the bye week, head coach Joe Brady initially said Gardner-Johnson would remain in the starting lineup upon his return in Week 9. However, that changed, as Gardner-Johnson is no longer on the team, much less in the starting lineup.

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C.J. Gardner-Johnson #22 of the Buffalo Bills reacts after being ejected from a game against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium on Oct. 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nev. The Bills defeated the Raiders 33-30. (Candice Ward/Getty Images)

"It’s hard enough to win enough in this league with 48 guys, much less 47. He knows that that can’t happen, it’s inexcusable, that’s not the standard that we’re going to have and play with. He’s addressed it, it’s been addressed," Brady told reporters a couple of weeks ago about Gardner-Johnson's spitting incident.

"Those are the things that can’t happen on a football field. We want to toe the line in everything we do, but we can’t cross the line."

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C.J. Gardner-Johnson #22 of the Buffalo Bills lines up before the snap during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 12, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (Getty Images)

In six games, all starts, for the Bills this season, Gardner-Johnson recorded 26 tackles and one interception. The Bills used Gardner-Johnson's roster spot to sign defensive back Te'Cory Couch to the active roster on Oct. 31.

For Gardner-Johnson, the Bills were the sixth team he played for in his eight-year career. He won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024, starting all four games in their playoff run.

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C.J. Gardner-Johnson of the Buffalo Bills walks off the field after being ejected against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on Oct. 18, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nev. (Getty Images)

In his eight-year career, Gardner-Johnson has registered 396 tackles, seven sacks and 21 interceptions in 93 career games.

Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital.