The Pittsburgh Steelers may have a need at safety, but the team would be wise to stay far away from a newly available Super Bowl champion defender.

On Tuesday, November 3, the Buffalo Bills released safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who has been marred by controversy during his eight-year NFL career.

Gardner-Johnson is coming off a one-game suspension for his actions in the Bills' Week 6 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, in which he was seen spitting toward tight end Brock Bowers. Gardner-Johnson was ejected from the game and served his one-game suspension, but the Bills released him on November 3, just one day after he became eligible to return.

Back in 2025, reports indicated that Gardner-Johnson was criticizing Houston Texans teammates and complaining about his role in the defense, which may have played a role in his abrupt release. Between unnecessary taunting and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, including his two ejections and suspension in 2026, controversy isn't new to Gardner-Johnson.

The Steelers' defense is playing lights-out football at the moment. And although safety would definitely be a position to consider upgrading, Gardner-Johnson would likely bring unnecessary drama to a Pittsburgh locker room that doesn't need distractions, with the team sitting at 6-2.

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