The Buffalo Bills have signed former Chicago Bears defensive back CJ Gardner-Johnson to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.
“Former Bears free-agent safety C. J. Gardner-Johnson is signing a one-year deal worth up to $6 million with the Buffalo Bills, per his agents Kevin Conner and Robert Brown of @unisportsmgmt.”
Chicago and Buffalo technically swap safeties who can also play cornerback, with the Bears signing former Bills DB Cam Lewis to a two-year deal back on March 10th.
Bears Lose CJ Gardner-Johnson to the Buffalo Bills
Chicago signed Gardner-Johnson midseason when the defensive backs room had an injury bug, and he stepped up big-time.
In 10 regular-season games with the Bears, he racked up 51 total tackles, three sacks, and two interceptions. Gardner-Johnson also brought some juice on defense with his infectious personality and passion for football.
Also kind of random, but his reaction to signing with the Bills was posting a gif of superstar quarterback Josh Allen with fake grills on X.
The Bills and Bears have been quite involved with one another this offseason, and the major headline is Chicago trading wideout DJ Moore and a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Bills for a 2026 second-round pick.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles said during a press conference on March 12th that his son, Mason, was extremely upset he traded Moore away. Poles ended up saying it was strictly a business decision, adding, “DJ is one of my favorite players. Will always be one of my favorite players.”
Bears Agree to Three-Year Deal with Big-Time Safety
In light of Gardner-Johnson’s departure, the Bears agreed to a massive three-year, $40 million contract with former Seattle Seahawks safety Coby Bryant, who also can play cornerback.
There seems to be a theme here.
Here’s more on what Bryant brings to Chicago:
“Bryant joins Chicago after spending the last four seasons as a member of the Seattle Seahawks (2022-25), helping lead Seattle to a World Championship with a victory in Super Bowl LX. Bryant started 15 regular-season games for Seattle in 2025, as well as all three postseason outings for the Seahawks, securing a career-high four interceptions. Since entering the league as a fourth-round selection (109th overall) by Seattle in the 2022 NFL Draft, Bryant has amassed 218 tackles (148 solo), 17 passes defensed, seven interceptions, nine tackles for loss, including two sacks, and seven forced fumbles. Bryant’s seven career forced fumbles are tied for the fourth-most by any DB in the NFL over the last four seasons, as his seven passes defensed, including four interceptions, in 2025 marked single-season career-bests.”
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Bryant allowed the 2nd-lowest passer rating among safeties in 2025, and his four interceptions were tied for 4th-most at the position.
In other safety news, Kevin Byard has agreed to a one-year, $9 million deal with the New England Patriots, and Jaquan Brisker has just signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bears News: Chicago Loses DB to Buffalo Bills