The Chicago Bears will have some critical decisions to make this offseason, and whether they want to bring back pending free agent C.J. Gardner-Johnson is among them.
Gardner-Johnson, a Super Bowl champion with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024, landed with the Bears after stints with the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans in 2025. He shared a message that got fans speculating about his future with the Bears.
That was just one of the headlines that have arisen for the Bears over the past day or so.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson Stirs Pot to Lead Bears News Roundup
C.J. Gardner-Johnson Gets Bears Fans Going
Gardner-Johnson helped fill the void left in the Bears’ defense by Kyler Gordon’s injury-related absence. That was one of several impactful injuries for the 2025 team.
The former New Orleans Saints draft pick finished the season with 51 total tackles, 4 pass deflections, 3.0 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble for the Bears. That is in addition to his 15 total stops in three games with the Texans.
“Too chill for the run around [peace sign emoji],” Gardner-Johnson posted on X on Wednesday.
With no other context to draw from, many fans replied with varying levels of interest in Gardner-Johnson returning to the Bears or moving on to another team.
Gardner-Johnson followed up with a post that asked, “Bro are yall cool [laughing emojis].”
The Bears are facing some cap work before they can look to improve their roster, and they have other concerns, along with whether or not to retain Gardner-Johnson, including two players at his natural safety position.
Gordon is locked in after signing a multi-year extension last offseason, too.
All of that will factor into Gardner-Johnson’s future with the Bears, who certainly benefited from his presence.
Caleb Williams Shouts Out Puka Nacua
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was making a public appearance for Fanatics on Wednesday. It included doing a blind pull for autographed merchandise.
He was hoping to get his own jersey.
Williams pulled a signed jersey from Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua. Nacua and the Rams eliminated Williams and the Bears from the playoffs in the NFC Divisional Playoffs, ending their season. Williams took the result in stride, though.
“One of these has to be me,” Williams said before the reveal. “Shout out to Puka. … Damn you, Puka.”
Nacua, the NFL leader in receptions during the regular season, had a relatively pedestrian game against the Bears, with a 5-56-0 line on 10 targets. However, his Rams also got the win. They were eliminated in the next round by the Seattle Seahawks.
Bears Veteran Gets NFL Attention
The NFL continues towards its Honors ceremony, where the league MVP will be announced, but the finalists for that and other awards have trickled out in the meantime. Chicago found one of its own among the potential winners for the newly introduced “Protector of the Year Award.”
Thuney arrived via trade during the 2024 offseason, and he earned his fourth Pro Bowl in his first season with the Bears.
Thuney also earned First Team All-Pro honors for the third time in his career this past season.
He is up against Aaron Brewer of the Miami Dolphins, former Kansas City Chiefs teammate Creed Humphrey, Garett Bolles and Quinn Meinerz of the Denver Broncos, and Penei Sewell of the Detroit Lions.
Cairo Santos Has Suggestion for Ben Johnson
Bears head coach Ben Johnson could receive some unexpected input on play calls next season. Bears kicker Cairo Santos caught wind of a viral clip from a streamer in which the sprite version of the veteran specialist executed a fake field goal to perfection, running it back from deep inside his own endzone in some variation of “Madden.”
“I like this,” Santos said in the comments of the video. “I’m showing it to Ben.”
Santos had a trying season. He even saw the Bears bring in Jake Moody for at least the threat of a competition. Santos was critical to keeping the Bears connected in plenty of games during the regular season and playoffs, too, though.
Bears Exec Drawing Interest
The Bears’ coaching staff has drawn plenty of interest in recent weeks. Their front office is also staying in on the action.
“Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham will do a second, in-person interview for the Atlanta Falcons general manager job this week, per source,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on X on January 27.
“Cunningham also was a finalist for Atlanta’s president of football job that went to Matt Ryan.”
Ryan, a former MVP during his playing days, was notably also a teammate of Bears general manager Ryan Poles at Boston College.
Ryan Poles Gets Eyes on Trench Prospects at Senior Bowl
Poles is back where he made his hay coming up as an executive, on the scouting trail. He was spotted at the Senior Bowl, taking in practices.
“#Bears GM Ryan Poles was watching the OL/DL one-on-one reps,” the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Devin Jackson reported in a post on X on January 27. “#Missouri EDGE Zion Young was one of the standouts. #Illinois OT JC Davis had a few good reps too.”
Here is what The Draft Network has to say about Young:
“Zion Young is a versatile, alignment-flexible defensive lineman who can be a high-end contributor as both a run defender and a pass rusher for a defense.”
“Davis is a mid-round, high-floor guard who has climbed the college ranks, and projects as a long-term rosterable lineman with starter capabilities.”