The number one concern for every Chicago Bears fan with the newly signed defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson is whether he will be able to contain his emotions on the field.
Last year with the Philadelphia Eagles, Gardner-Johnson was ejected in a game after having two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in a loss to the Washington Commanders. He was also the man behind two Chicago Bears players getting ejected in games back in 2020. To top it off, his 2025 year has included a war of words with Eagles general manager Howie Roseman over the trade and his subsequent request to be released by the Houston Texans after three games.
Bears defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach Al Harris made time with the media to talk about Gardner-Johnson and how he will manage the energy that the new slot corner will have. Harris kept it as simple and real as it gets.
"I was brought here to teach and demand. So I take that particular approach. We're all grown men in here. So he has to understand what he does affects my family. What I do affects his family. There's no other way to put it than that. If you don't understand that part of it, then..."
Harris is 100% on point with no notes from Bears fans
While Bears fans want to see the raw energy that comes from Gardner-Johnson, which has made him such a great safety in the NFL, they also want him to understand that he needs to be able to control it himself on the field. This is a Chicago team that ranks top five in the NFL in penalties and can't afford to have any more penalties hit them the way they have in games.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson has been preaching accountability, calling out the leaders of his team after the 30-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8. Johnson also expects discipline among his players to enable them to keep their composure in games and avoid costly mistakes on the field.
Read more: Ben Johnson's confession isn't what Bears fans want to hear before Bengals game
This is a lesson the Bears hope Gardner-Johnson will learn now, so it doesn't happen on the field. Chicago is about to enter a rough stretch of games where every win counts, so they will need their new slot corner to be ready and available in these matchups.