The next week promises to be very interesting for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The NFL’s trade deadline is next Tuesday, and the Jaguars are likely to be buyers as the team attempts to reach the first Super Bowl in franchise history. 

Jacksonville is 5-2 after its 42-7 thrashing of the Indianapolis Colts this past Sunday. The Jaguars own a three-game lead in the AFC South and are in a great position not only to repeat as division champs, but to make a run at the top seed in the AFC and earn home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. 

While the Jaguars may be flying high, they have a couple of areas that could use reinforcements, especially on defense. 

They must find a replacement for standout defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton, who is out for the season after tearing his quad against the Colts. Luckily, there are a few DTs who could be available as the trade deadline nears. 

However, no position on the Jaguars needs help more than safety, where a barrage of injuries has left Jacksonville very thin on both bodies and experience. 

Starter Eric Murray injured his elbow early against the Colts and is also out for the season. Antonio Johnson, one of Jacksonville’s defensive stars, missed the game against Indianapolis with an ankle injury, though he appears likely to return this Thursday when the Jaguars travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens. 

Caleb Ransaw, who started the season as Jacksonville’s third safety, is currently on injured reserve. 

Not counting Johnson, the team’s top-3 healthy safeties are Kaevon Merriweatber, who was just signed a few weeks ago, second-year player Rayuan Lane III, who had an electric 92-yard pick-six against the Colts, and rookie Jalen Huskey. 

Even with Johnson’s return imminent, Jacksonville could still use an experienced starter to replace Murray. 

On Tuesday, one very big name unexpectedly became available when the Buffalo Bills released C.J. Gardner-Johnson. 

Though adding a player of Gardner-Johnson’s caliber may be tempting, the Jaguars should not make the mistake of signing him. 

CJGJ has been an excellent player for most of his career, but he comes with way too many red flags for the Jaguars. 

Notably, Gardner-Johnson was just suspended for one game for spitting at Brock Bowers when the Bills played the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6. 

That was only the most recent of several incidents that should keep Jacksonville from signing the veteran. 

Just look at the number of teams CJGJ has bounced between over the last few seasons. 

After spending his first three seasons with the New Orleans Saints, Gardner-Johnson was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles prior to the 2022 season. 

After one season in Philly, he was signed in free agency by the Detroit Lions, where he only lasted one season (playing only three games due to injury). He returned to the Eagles in 2024 before splitting the 2025 season between the Houston Texans and the Chicago Bears. 

Buffalo became his fifth team in only four seasons. 

When a player as good as CJGJ can’t stick with a team for more than one season, there is a problem. 

It seems that whenever Gardner-Johnson joins a new team, he does nothing but bad-mouth the club he is leaving, not realizing that he is the common denominator in each situation. 

Why would Jacksonville risk adding a potential cancer to its extremely strong locker room, which has forged a positive, winning culture under Liam Coen?

It shouldn’t. Gardner-Johnson has proven he is not worth the headache. He just has too much baggage and burns bridges everywhere he goes. 

The Jaguars should avoid Gardner-Johnson at all costs, especially when there are several safeties available via trade who could come to Jacksonville and strengthen the secondary. 

Yes, it is tempting to sign a player as good as Gardner-Johnson without having to give up any draft picks. 

No, the Jaguars shouldn’t risk the damage Gardner-Johnson can do to a locker room. 

Jacksonville should add a safety before the trade deadline. It shouldn’t be Gardner-Johnson. 

Let him become another team’s problem.