The Chicago Bears are just as susceptible to the woes of the offseason, and of course, that includes free agency. The Bears expect significant personnel turnover this year, particularly on defense.
What that means is that the next season for the Bears is critical to the team's identity. The 2025 defense was frequently marred by injury, with notable names such as Kyler Gordon, Jaylon Johnson, and Tremaine Edmunds missing multiple games each. With multiple starters on the Injured Reserve (IR) list, the Bears were spurred to sign C.J. Gardner-Johnson in late October to provide depth to the secondary.
Gardner-Johnson went on to record over 50 tackles for the Bears, becoming a much-needed veteran voice for Dennis Allen's defense. The Bears signed Gardner-Johnson to a one-year contract worth just north of $1 million. For a team that is already expected to deal with roster decisions and cap space, finding value players who won't have a significant impact on the cap is essential.
How Gardner-Johnson Ended Up in Chicago
It's noteworthy that Gardner-Johnson found himself to be a free agent in late October after previously playing three games to start the season on the Houston Texans roster. It was a surprise move for the Texans to release Gardner-Johnson, but comments from Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans indicated that communication and several large plays contributed to his release.
Sources indicated that Gardner-Johnson had struggled to adapt to the Texans' defensive scheme. Gardner-Johnson and Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen had previously spent multiple seasons together from 2019 through 2021 in the Saints system when Allen was DC there. Familiarity with the system already in place in Chicago, plus an already injured starting defensive back, meant the stars had aligned for a reunion between Gardner-Johnson and Allen.
Gardner-Johnson's time in Chicago may have been born out of necessity, but his performance justified the move. He stabilized an already injured secondary, provided another knowledgeable voice in Allen's system, and added additional veteran depth.
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With turnover already expected and continuity at a premium, bringing him back offers reliability without forcing the Bears to start anew. Gardner-Johnson represents a known fit in a defense that has already shown it can function well with him. He's worth the risk, even if he negotiates for a pay raise.