C.J. Gardner-Johnson Says ‘I Gotta Be Better’ After Spitting On Raider Leads To Ejection

This article was written by Gus Wilson and published on Sport & State, a new media company founded by Clay Travis that is built around sports, culture, original voices, and live conversation.

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C.J. Gardner-Johnson has added yet another chapter to his growing reputation as one of the NFL’s dirtiest players.

Two weeks ago, he was trash-talking Efton Chism after Buffalo lost to New England.

On Sunday, he was ejected after spitting in the direction of Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers during the Bills’ 33-30 victory.

Just before the end of the first half, Gardner-Johnson and Bowers began jawing after a play before officials stepped in.

Then came the spit.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson has been ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct https://t.co/S2ME5wNiRT

— NFL on CBS ???? (@NFLonCBS) October 18, 2026

Another angle shown on the broadcast made it clear why Gardner-Johnson was immediately disqualified.

CJ Gardner-Johnson spit bills raiders bowers joe brady nfl https://t.co/78ujN7Oms1

— Moonball (@moonball30) October 18, 2026

Jim Nantz summed it up pretty well on the CBS broadcast, calling the act “about as disrespectful as it gets.”

Gardner-Johnson didn’t exactly appear bothered by the ejection, smiling and laughing as he made his way toward the locker room.

Here’s a look at CJ Gardner-Johnson walking off the field in Vegas after the #Bills DB was ejected late in the first half against the Raiders.

#BillsMafia @WGRZ https://t.co/QDAkcEw4ef

— Jonathan Acosta (@JAcostaTV) October 18, 2026

After the game, Bills head coach Joe Brady and Gardner-Johnson both addressed the incident.

“The discipline of our football team has to improve and that sure as hell can’t happen.”

#Bills HC Joe Brady on the ejection of safety CJ Gardner-Johnson from the team’s win in Las Vegas.

“It definitely has to be addressed.”

#BillsMafia @WGRZ https://t.co/aiTXFAJOQi

— Jonathan Acosta (@JAcostaTV) October 19, 2026

CJ Gardner-Johnson wouldn’t admit to spitting on a Raiders player before he was ejected: “I gotta be a better player, a better vet.. got to control my emotions.”

Coward. Cut him https://t.co/6w0SQn1pX4

— alex brasky (@alexbrasky) October 19, 2026

Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson apologized on IG after cameras captured him spitting at Raiders TE Brock Bowers. https://t.co/F51BVlLsSi

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 19, 2026

Apparently, this may not even be Gardner-Johnson’s first spitting incident.

San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk took to X after the ejection and claimed Gardner-Johnson spit on him last season while playing for the Chicago Bears.

“This is the least surprising thing ever,” Juszczyk wrote.

This is the least surprising thing ever. @CGJXXIII spit on me last year when we beat Chicago

— Kyle Juszczyk (@JuiceCheck44) October 18, 2026

There is also recent NFL precedent for what could come next.

Last season, Ja’Marr Chase received a one-game suspension for spitting on Jalen Ramsey. Jalen Carter was also suspended one game after spitting on Dak Prescott, although the league considered the punishment served by his ejection just seconds into the season opener.

@NFL Jamarr Chase clearly spitting on Jalen Ramsey #Steelers #Bengals https://t.co/V23OSCpYQC

— Chip Skylark (@use_your_logic1) November 16, 2025

total trash move

Jalen Carter spit on Dak Prescott and was ejected https://t.co/Pmkp8Stwgu

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) September 5, 2025

Gardner-Johnson has already been fined multiple times this season and Sunday marked the second ejection of his career.

Now, the question is whether the NFL decides an ejection and another fine are enough.

Based on how the league handled the two most recent spitting incidents, Gardner-Johnson may be looking at some time away from the field as well.

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