Seven-year veteran, he has 64 career starts and is experienced as a nickel, dimebacker and free safety. The Ravens’ injured secondary could use some help at all three positions.

Gardner-Johnson started the 2025 season as a Texan but was released three games into the season due to tensions in the locker room. He created tension in the Houston locker room, according to reports. He criticised his teammates and expressed frustration over his role despite his unit’s successful start of the year.

The Texans wanted to get rid of Gardner-Johnson so badly that they let him go before pursuing a trade, absorbing $8.25m in dead money. Houston restructured Gardner Johnson’s contract a week before his release, increasing the dead cap charges.

After benching Marcus Williams in 2024 and Eddie Jackson the following year, they are not strangers to disgruntled safety players. Their injuries also greatly limit their ability to pick and choose from available talent. Gardner-Johnson is a proven NFL safety who could play a legitimate role in Baltimore right away. Kyle Hamilton was not available for Sunday’s match against the Texans. Two rookie safety players were left to fill in. Malaki Starks, the first-round pick from his first four games has played well but not very well. He lacks Hamilton’s impact on every play. Reuben Lowery, a UDFA, struggled during his first extended NFL game. While one game doesn’t define a person, the Ravens, who are 1-4, cannot afford to have a similar performance against the Rams. Gardner-Johnson can be inserted into the starting lineup or, at least, as a backup option if Lowery fails again.

Gardner-Johnson can still be a part of the gameplan, even if Hamilton returns for the next match. He is a versatile defensive back who can play in either the slot or box. He can also move to a deep alignment, which will free up Kyle Hamilton so that he can cause havoc at the line of scrimmage or over the middle. The Ravens can do this as well in nickel looks, with Hamilton or Gardner Johnson replacing Keyon Martin at the slot and the other player playing free safety.

When Gardner-Johnson and Hamilton are on the field, the Ravens will be forced to abandon the four cornerback dime that they’ve been using this season in favor of three safety packages. The Ravens’ former strategy was logical when Baltimore’s cornerbacks remained healthy – T.J. Tampa provided more coverage than Lowery and Sanoussi Kane. But now that Tampa will start on the outside the Ravens must adjust.

Gardner-Johnson gives you the opportunity to achieve this. He could help the team improve their coverage and contribute to obvious passing situations. The attitude of the 27-year old may also be appreciated by fans who are demanding accountability and a stronger defense.

The Ravens have released nose tackle Josh Tupou, who was on the practice squad. The Ravens released Tupou from the practice squad after he had a poor performance against the Chiefs in Week 4.