Kevin Byard III has played a lot of football throughout his 11-NFL career.
Having played 154 games since being drafted in 2016 out of Middle Tennessee, he also understands what a defense needs to be successful. Newly added defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson's style of play and personality are well documented – the Bears’ organization knows firsthand how the veteran defensive back can get in an opposing player's head.
Former Bears wide receivers Javon Wims and Anthony Miller were both ejected after taking swings at Gardner-Johnson during the 2020 NFL season.
Not all of Gardner-Johnson's new teammates are worried about him
Some may view Gardner-Johnson's tactics as a negative, but Byard views his mentality as an asset.
“The things he's done on the field are great and his off the field stuff, in other buildings, I can't speak to that because I wasn't there,” Byard said. “But, for me personally, I'm under the belief that I think on each side of the ball, offense, defense, you need at least one or two of those guys on the field because they bring a certain level of juice. This game is played violently. You need somebody to go in there and be that spark. Obviously, you know the history of this city, Chicago Bulls with Dennis Rodman, sometimes you need guys like that out there. I think our leadership group on this team, we can hold things together and I don't personally think it'll be an issue. He's been around his defense. I have a lot of respect for him. He has a lot of respect for me.”
Maybe Gardner-Johnson will be the Bears’ version of what Rodman provided for the Bulls during the 1990s, someone who plays with an edge and is an opponent you don't want to face, but love having on the team.
What Gardner-Johnson needs to provide, though, is stability at the nickel cornerback position. Kyler Gordon will miss at least four games after going on IR. Johnson said that Gardner-Johnson will play on the inside as he gets reacquainted with Denne Allen's defense.
Allen coached Gardner-Johnson while the two were with the New Orleans Saints from 2019-21. The veteran defensive back primarily played in the slot for those three seasons.
While C.J. Gardner-Johnson was in New Orleans with Dennis Allen as the defensive coordinator and head coach, he played primarily in the slot.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) October 29, 2025
2021 snaps: 477 slot, 66 Box, 9 FS, 23 cnr
2020 snaps: 622 slot, 89 Box, 2 Fs, 62 cnr
2019 snaps: 268 slot, 102 Box, 69 FS, 25 cnr
The Bears understand they added a player in Gardner-Johnson who has a loud personality, and to those outside of the organization, it may be perceived as a distraction. But the Bears’ head coach isn't worried about that outcome with his team.
“We've got a very strong locker room,” Johnson said. “We've got a positive veteran influence in there. I feel very strongly about that group. Nothing's more important than our locker room to be clear with you. That's certainly first and foremost of any decision we make of who we bring in or who we let go. I think we're all aware of how important that is and the fit that he has with that locker room.”
Read more: Ben Johnson didn't mince words about what he needs from his top two edge rushers
If this move pans out for the Bears, Gardner-Johnson's play will do all the talking, and there’s a good chance he will, too.