The Buffalo Bills have released former Super Bowl champion CJ Gardner-Johnson after he was suspended for spitting at an opponent. Gardner-Johnson was slapped with a one-game suspension after he was caught spitting at Las Vegas Raiders center Tyler Linderbaum and tight end Brock Bowers just before halftime of the Bills’ Week 6 matchup. The 28-year-old was ejected from the game and the vile incident now marks his final moment in a Bills uniform. Despite head coach Joe Brady’s initial insistence that the team had no intention of dropping the safety, the Bills announced on Tuesday that Gardner-Johnson had been released. His released was connected more to the inconsistency of his on-field performances rather than the spitting incident and suspension, according to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe. Damar Hamlin is now expected to be the Bills’ starting safety following Gardner-Johnson’s exit. The Buffalo Bills have released forner Super Bowl champion CJ Gardner-Johnson (pictured) The Bills safety was seen spitting at a Las Vegas Raiders rival during their Week 6 clashThe Bills had their bye week in Week 7 meaning Gardner-Johnson served his suspension on Sunday when the Bills beat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8. Coach Brady had previously said that Gardner-Johnson would return to the lineup for Week 9 when Buffalo face the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football but has now performed a U-turn. ‘It’s hard enough to win enough in this league with 48 guys, much less 47. He knows that that can’t happen, it’s inexcusable, that’s not the standard that we’re going to have and play with. He’s addressed it, it’s been addressed,’ Brady told reporters a couple of weeks ago. ‘Those are the things that can’t happen on a football field. We want to toe the line in everything we do, but we can’t cross the line.’ In six games for the Bills this season, Gardner-Johnson recorded 26 tackles and one interception.Buffalo was his sixth NFL team in eight seasons. He previously played for New Orleans, Philadelphia, Detroit, Houston and Chicago before signing a one-year contract with the Bills.He was ejected in 2024 while playing for Philadelphia and has been fined numerous times during his NFL career, though he has never been suspended. In the latest incident, cameras had caught him approaching Raiders tight end Bowers for a heated exchange of words – before spitting in his rival’s direction. Coach Joe Brady previously said that the safety would return to the lineup after his suspension The Buffalo Buffalo were Gardner-Johnson’s sixth NFL team in eight seasonsThe shocking moment occurred right in front of an official, who quickly flagged the action. Gardner-Johnson was ejected from the game soon after and left the field with a bizarre grin on his face.The NFL took less than 24 hours to make its decision on a punishment, releasing a statement to the media on Monday afternoon over the ‘act of unsportsmanlike conduct.’The league claims Gardner-Johnson ‘violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which applies to “any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.”‘Following the incident, Gardner-Johnson, who won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles, issued a groveling apology on social media. He wrote: ‘I want to take a moment to address my actions and sincerely apologize to my opponent, my teammates, my organization, and everyone who supports me.’My passion and competitive nature have always been a huge part of who I am, but I also understand that there is a line that should never be crossed. The gesture I made toward my opponent was inappropriate, unnecessary, and not a reflection of the respect I have for him or this game.’ He said the incident ‘was inappropriate and unnecessary’ and ‘does not define my character’He continued: ‘There is no excuse for my actions, and I take full accountability. No matter how emotional or intense the competition gets, I have to hold myself to a higher standard.’To my opponent, I sincerely apologize. We compete hard between those lines, but respect should always remain at the forefront.’One moment does not define my character, but how I respond to that moment matters. I will learn from this, grow from it, and continue to lead with the integrity, passion, and respect that have carried me throughout my career.’I love this game, I respect this game, and I will always protect the integrity of this game. My actions will speak louder than my words moving forward.’