C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s agents, Kevin Conner and Robert Brown, informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the veteran safety will be signed to the Chicago Bears’ active roster on Wednesday.
Gardner-Johnson began the 2025 season with the Houston Texans before getting released last month. He was then signed to the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad earlier this month before getting released about a week later.
The 27-year-old defensive back is a seven-year NFL veteran who spent three seasons with the New Orleans Saints, two with the Philadelphia Eagles and one with the Detroit Lions before bouncing around between multiple teams this season.
Originally selected by New Orleans in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft out of Florida, Gardner-Johnson recorded five interceptions over his first three NFL seasons with the Saints before getting traded to the Eagles.
Gardner-Johnson broke out in 2022 with a career-high and league-leading six interceptions, but he lasted only one year in Philly before signing a one-year deal with Detroit.
Despite being limited to three games with the Lions in 2023 due to a torn pectoral muscle, Gardner-Johnson landed a three-year contract to return to the Eagles in free agency.
Last season, Gardner-Johnson started 16 regular-season games and four playoff games, matching his career high of six interceptions, as the Eagles went on to win the Super Bowl.
The Eagles traded Gardner-Johnson to the Texans in March, but after starting the first three games of the 2025 campaign, he was cut.
Gardner-Johnson’s subsequent one-week stay on the Ravens’ practice squad was even shorter, as Conner told Schefter that his release from Baltimore was an “amicable mutual decision” due to Gardner-Johnson desiring “a clearer path to play.”
While the Bears have an established starting safety duo in Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard, Gardner-Johnson can provide depth at that spot while potentially also spending some time at nickel cornerback.
Kyler Gordon, who was the Bears’ primary slot corner, was placed on injured reserve last week due to groin and calf injuries.
During his time in New Orleans, Gardner-Johnson saw extensive time at the nickel spot under then-Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who is now the Bears’ defensive coordinator.
Also, Bears head coach Ben Johnson was the Lions’ offensive coordinator during Gardner-Johnson’s one year in Detroit.
Given his familiarity with the coaching staff and a potential opening in the lineup, the Bears are a logical landing spot for Gardner-Johnson.
The signing also makes sense from the Bears’ perspective, as they are in the thick of the playoff race at 4-3 and needed an experienced option at nickel until Gordon is healed up and able to be activated off IR.
