‘A great fit’: Bears sign DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson to one-year deal

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — C.J. Gardner-Johnson last played a regular-season snap on September 21st with the Houston Texans. He was released two days later.

In the last seven months, the defensive back has been traded once and cut twice.

“[The Texans] gave me a great opportunity,” Gardner-Johnson said at Halas Hall on Wednesday. “Appreciate the front office and the coaches. It just didn’t pan out. It is what it is. Nothing bad.”

Gardner-Johnson signed a one-year deal with the Bears on Wednesday morning. Shortly after making the signing official, coach Ben Johnson confirmed he’d slot in inside in place of Kyler Gordon, who was placed on injured reserve on Saturday.

“That’s how I started my career,” Gardner-Johnson said. “Give me a chance to get close to the ball, make plays and make it easier on the guys in the back end. When I’m closer to the ball, coach [Dennis Allen] and coach Ben know what I can do.”

Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who missed Week 8 with a shoulder injury, returned to practice Wednesday in a limited capacity. Despite this, the chance to add to the defensive backs room still made sense to the Bears.

“We’ve got guys dinged up and in and out,” Johnson said. “So, we have an opportunity, and he was available. He’s a good football player. There’s a number of us that have been with him in the past and so it’s a good fit.”

Johnson and Gardner-Johnson’s paths crossed in Detroit when the defensive back spent the 2023 season with the Lions. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2019, where Dennis Allen served as defensive coordinator.

“[Allen] cared for me as a player, as a person,” Gardner-Johnson said. “At that time, I was younger, and the message was always the same. So coming here, he understands what I can do. And coming to a locker room with veteran presence, I can adapt easily, and understand that if I need help, I can go ask.”

Gardner-Johnson’s play and adaptability aren’t worthy of concern. It’s his history as a pest, both on and off the field.

Since entering the league seven years ago, officials have flagged Gardner-Johnson for personal fouls on 12 occasions, according to nflpenalties.com.

Five years ago, he was on the receiving end of three punches: one from Saints teammate Michael Thomas and a pair from Bears receivers Javon Wims and Anthony Miller in separate games. Both resulted in ejections. Miller’s ejection happened in the Bears’ 21-9 NFC Wild Card loss to the Saints.

“I don’t feel like [I’m] instigating on the field,” Gardner-Johnson said. “But if you take it that way, it’s just being a fiery player and ready to compete and win.”

But the past is the past. Wims and Miller are long gone, and what matters now is how he’ll mesh with the current iteration of the Bears.

“I’m good for them, locker room fit and a great fit between me, the coaches and the front office,” Gardner-Johnson said. “That’s really what it’s all about.”