The Baltimore Ravens released CJ Gardner Johnson today. He will therefore be on his fourth team in seven months if he signs with another NFL team. What CJ says today is as follows: “I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all of the coaches, players, and supporters of the teams I have played on. I have improved both on and off the field as a result of every encounter. I sincerely appreciate all of the chances and experiences. I still have a deep passion for football, which has always been a huge part of who I am. I can’t wait to keep practicing, getting better, and playing the sport I love.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of the coaches, players, staff, and supporters of each of the teams I have been a part of. Every organization, from the first one that believed in me and gave me a shot to those I joined later, has left an imprint on me. The lessons, the highs, the lows, the camaraderie, the adversity — all of that has contributed to shaping who I am today, on and off the field.

Each playbook I studied, each meeting I sat through, each practice I pushed myself through, taught me something new. I grew not only as a football player — learning new techniques, absorbing different schemes, adjusting to fresh environments — but also as a person. I learned humility in defeat, patience through uncertainty, leadership in the locker room, and resilience when things didn’t go my way. I discovered that sometimes your greatest growth comes in seasons you least expect.

To the coaches — past and present — thank you. Thank you for challenging me, for pushing me beyond my comfort zone, for believing in me even when I doubted myself. Thank you for your time, your guidance, your critiques, your corrections. Thank you for the opportunities you gave me, the trust you placed in me, and the space to learn from mistakes. To those coaches who maybe gave me less playing time or limited roles, thank you as well — sometimes your constraints forced me to grind harder, refine fundamentals, and find ways to contribute in subtle but meaningful ways.

To my teammates, in every locker room, every secondary room, every special teams meeting — thank you. Some of you I celebrated with, some I competed against for reps, some I learned from. You made me better. You forced me to sharpen my edges, to understand that success in a team sport depends on more than individual stats. You showed me what it’s like to lean on others, to trust instincts, to communicate under pressure. Shared meals, shared rides, film sessions, hours in the weight room — those moments stay with you. Even the disagreements, the friction, the tension — those are part of the process, part of trying to get better, part of seeking to know your limits. I have respect for how much this game demands of all of us.

To the fans, to the communities in each city, to those who cheered, booed, critiqued, supported — thank you. Your passion fuels everything. The energy you bring on game days, the way you wear the colors, the way you hold players accountable — it means something. I’ve felt your support in moments of victory, and I’ve felt your judgment in moments of struggle. Both teach you humility. Knowing someone out there is watching, believing, hoping — that pushes you to give more, to stay ready.

I have improved — really and truly — both on and off the field because of every encounter. The wins sharpened my confidence, the losses humbled me. The new playbooks forced me to become a better thinker. The travels, the transitions, the uncertainty forced me to become mentally flexible, to cultivate resilience, to remember who I am even when circumstances change. In moments of doubt, I looked back on past times of success to remind myself of what I am capable of. In moments of change, I leaned on family, on faith, on routines, on the fundamentals that held me steady in the storm.

I sincerely appreciate every opportunity, every chance, every contract, every snap, every drill, every meeting — even the ones that felt small or inconsequential. Those are the building blocks. They matter. The time in the film room, the extra reps after practice, the conditioning sessions, the rehab work, the strength training in offseasons — all of it accumulates, all of it compounds.

I also want to express thanks to those who may not have supported me at first, those who questioned me, those who doubted me. You sharpened me. When you doubt me, I use that as fuel. When you give me an unfavorable assessment or cast a skeptical eye, I listen, I reflect, I adjust, I move forward. You make me fight harder. You make the victories sweeter.

Even with all the changes I’ve experienced — wearing new uniforms, learning new systems, moving cities, acclimating to new teammates — I have never lost my passion for this game. Football is more than a job for me. It has always been a huge part of who I am: a challenge, a test, a love, a calling. From when I was a kid, chasing the ball, dreaming big, to now — I still feel that fire in my chest. The joy of competition, the thrill of executing a coverage, the camaraderie in the locker room, the feeling that your effort matters — all of that keeps me going.

I understand that in my career I’ve had times of stability and times of turbulence, times where my role was clear and times it was uncertain. I understand that teams have needs, injuries happen, coaches have visions, and sometimes circumstances beyond your control affect your path. I accept that. I don’t regret the moves, the transitions, even the releases. They are part of the journey. What matters is how you respond.

So today, as I find myself once again facing a crossroads, I stand here humbled but unbowed, grateful but determined. I still have a deep passion for football, and that will never waver. I can’t wait for the next chance — to walk into a locker room, to don a jersey, to step on the field in practice, to chase perfection in the details, to compete again at the highest level.

Between now and that next opportunity, I’ll keep working, keep sharpening. I’ll stay ready. I’ll keep running circuits, studying tendencies, watching film, building my strength, refining technique, staying mentally sharp. Because I know this game doesn’t wait for you. It rewards those who are ready. So I’ll use every day to get better, to improve in small increments. To be faster, stronger, more disciplined, sharper in communication, more versatile, more consistent.

I can’t wait to see where the next chapter leads. If a team gives me that chance, I’ll give everything — heart, body, mind. I’ll show out. I’ll play with passion, discipline, and respect for the game and for my teammates. I’ll bring energy, leadership, accountability, and a willingness to earn my place every day. I’ll follow the rules, embrace the process, take coaching, push back when necessary, but always remain a student of the game.

In closing, thank you again — to all who have been part of this journey so far. I’ve grown. I’ve learned. I’ve been tested. I’ve been blessed. And though the uniform may change, though the city may change, though the challenges may shift, my commitment to excellence and my love of the game remain constant. I look forward to the next opportunity — to contribute, to compete, to make plays, to earn trust, to be part of something bigger than myself. Until then, I’ll keep working, keep believing, keep pushing, keep my mental edge sharp, and stay ready. Because when that phone rings, I want to answer — and answer strong.

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