From the moment he arrived, C.J. Gardner-Johnson has been unmissable in the Chicago Bears’ locker room. The same can be said about his time on the field, where the 2024 Super Bowl champion has made game-changing plays in his brief time.
Gardner-Johnson has played two games with the Bears, and just one of them in front of the home crowd.
And while he did not disappoint, Gardner-Johnson offered hopes of much greater things.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson Sends Strong Message After Bears Beat Giants
Bears Have Something With C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Gardner-Johnson has been reunited with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, his DC on the New Orleans Saints from 2019 through 2021, on the Bears. Allen has put the outspoken veteran back in a nickelback role he had not played as heavily in two seasons.
Gardner-Johnson is thriving and making Allen look all the wiser for it, following turbulent departures from the Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans before landing with the Bears.
Let Gardner-Johnson tell it, though, and this is merely the beginning of what is possible.
“I was expected to be a part and contribute, whatever my role may be. If I got to be special teams, I’m not tripping, you know. I’m just here to help this team win, get to the NFC Championship, possibly a first-round bye,” Gardner-Johnson told reporters on November 9, acknowledging the “tight race” for the postseason. “So, let’s do it.”
In his two games, Gardner-Johnson has 15 total tackles, 3 stops for loss, 3 quarterback hits, 3.0 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. He has 1 snap on special teams and 112 on defense for the Bears, per Pro Football Reference.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson Happy for Fresh Start
Gardner-Johnson spoke candidly about playing well amid the negative narratives about him, pointing to the environment that he is in and how that has helped.
“It’s just a blessing to be here,” Gardner-Johnson said. “I was home for a month and a half, narratives and scrutiny. But when you’re around a great group of people, great group of coaches that believe in you, people believe in you, I think all that goes out the window when they can see a person. Then you come in and just adapt and adjust and … come in and play right away, make an impact on the team.”
Gardner-Johnson has certainly done that.
His second sack against the Giants came on third down, forcing New York to punt. Punter Jamie Gillan shanked it 26 yards. The Bears will need more of that if they continue to give up the kind of plays they otherwise have. However, they also know that Gardner-Johnson can deliver.
Up next, Gardner-Johnson and the Bears hit the road for a rematch against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings beat the Bears, without Gardner-Johnson, in Week 1 this season.