The Detroit Lions are known for their unmatched intensity. With a head coach who chugs massive coffee orders daily and blasts Metallica, it’s not surprising. But Dan Campbell’s culture is more than just “full throttle”—he emphasizes what he calls “controlled fury.”
That balance is what keeps the Lions from imploding and instead competing as a top NFC team. So, when safety Morice Norris got too aggressive in an early camp session, Campbell tossed him rather than let chaos reign. That philosophy, however, has pushed some high-risk players elsewhere.
Former Detroit safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who’s long been labeled a volatile player, has now landed on his fourth team in five years. Now with the Houston Texans, Gardner-Johnson nearly sparked a fight during his new team’s training camp.
Per Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle, Gardner-Johnson got into a scuffle with rookie tight end Cade Stover during practice. The tension flared after Gardner-Johnson slammed Stover to the turf following a catch, prompting Stover to retaliate with a shove.
After getting up, Stover pushed Gardner-Johnson, and the two began jawing before teammates stepped in. We don’t know what was said, but given Gardner-Johnson’s history, it likely wasn’t polite banter or mutual praise.
Despite his attitude, Gardner-Johnson is a premier talent. He earned career-best grades in overall performance (77.0) and coverage (85.7) with the Eagles, and he tied for the NFL lead with six picks in 2022.
Still, the Eagles were ready to deal him to Houston last spring. Known as one of the league’s top trash talkers, the 27-year-old racked up over $100,000 in fines last year. He also slammed the Lions over how they handled his 2023 injury, calling that season “hell.”
“It was hell,” Gardner-Johnson told Detroit Free Press reporter Dave Birkett. “They lied to me. Said they’d bring me back, but didn’t. I wasn’t stressing about it though. Signing here worked out.”
Adding to his controversies, he clashed with Taylor Swift fans after mocking Travis Kelce at the Super Bowl parade. Maybe Stover is just a Swiftie who mentioned The Tortured Poets Department. Regardless, it’s another reason some teams pass on him—despite his undeniable skill.
