Before Chicago Bears called two weeks ago, the “NFL outcast” languished at home for most of the 2025 season. Now he is quickly becoming the hero of the Windy City.
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With Chicago's defense plagued by a series of injuries, the team turned to free agent guard C.J. Gardner-Johnson for help despite his two short stints with the team. Houston Texans And Baltimore Ravens only this year. Gardner was signed on October 29 to help replace corner Kyler Gordon.
“It’s just a blessing to be here,” Gardner-Johnson said. Phil Thompson of the Chicago Tribune. Thompson notes that Gardner-Johnson quickly became an “NFL pariah” after burning out so many teams. “I was home for a month and a half. Stories and checks.”
Gardner-Johnson Redemption Arc
Gardner-Johnson made a big impact in the Bears' 24-20 home win over a lowly team. New York Giants on Sunday. In the third quarter, he forced a fumble on Giants signal caller Jackson Dart that helped save the contest. Chicago eventually came back from trailing by 10 points in the fourth frame. Gardner-Johnson also had a pair of sacks.
“But when you come across a great group of people, a great group of coaches that believe in you, people that believe in you, I think that all goes away when they see the person and you come in and just adapt and adjust,” Gardner-Johnson reflected on his time with the Bears. “Come and play now, make an impact on the team.”
With the win, Chicago improved to a surprisingly good 6–3 record in its first season under new head coach Ben Johnson.
