Ben Johnson thinks Bears can rein in new DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Bringing in defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, or CJ Gardner-Johnson as he is known, can lead to a volatile mix and the Bears are trying to limit this.
The franchise has experience with Gardner-Johnson as an instigator in past fights and in three seasons under Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen defenses in New Orleans he committed 21 penalties, including four for unnecessary roughness, a roughing the kicker, lowering the head to initiate contact, two unsportsmanlike conducts calls and an ejection.
His chicanery led to the ejection from games for Bears receivers Javon Wims and Anthony Miller in two 2020 meetings with the Saints, the second one a playoff game. He was also involved in making fun of Tarik Cohen's lack of height.
"D.A. knew him when he was a young player," Bears coach Ben Johnson explained. "He hasn't been with him for a number of years. And then I had a short little crossover period with him.
"We did due diligence. We talked to people he's been around recently. It was one of those moves that we felt comfortable with where we're at as a team right now, where CJ's at in his career, that it's a good fit."
Johnson acknowledges the injury situation in the secondary was primarily the reason for adding a player who had been cut by Baltimore and Houston this season after the Eagles traded him following the 2024 season. The top three cornerbacks are currently sidelined for the Bears, with Tyrique Stevenson probably due back first. He has missed one game with a shoulder injury.
"Well, as you can tell we've had some injuries over the course of the last few weeks," Johnson said. "Our injury report last week was pretty healthy and then this week, same thing. We had a lot of, you know, we've got guys dinged up and in and out. So, we have an opportunity and he was available. He's a good football player.
"You know, there's a number of us that have been with him in the past and so it's a good fit."
Johnson's own familiarity in Detroit with Gardner-Johnson was limited.
"Yeah, you know he ended up going on IR there for a long time and so all I know is he's a competitive player," Johnson said. "You know, felt that during training camp that year that I was with him, early in the season and then he came back late in the season, it's the same thing. He loves being on the grass and playing football.
"So, we'll make sure that we have a good support system for him. You know, he's got a family. He's got kids that are important to him. So, we just want to make sure that we support him the best we can."
By support system, he means a veteran locker room that can sort out problems on its own.
"Well, 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 and nothing is more important than our locker 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. And so, I think we're all aware of how important that is and the fit that he has with this locker room."
The move to sign Gardner-Johnson was made to plug him in at slot cornerback, where Johnson says they hope to get Kyler Gordon back within four weeks from a groin injury. They used Nick McCloud in the slot last week.
Despite all of the past penalty situations, no less an expert than Eagles GM Howie Roseman brought him in twice in the past three seasons or depth purposes and got 16 starts from him in a 2024 Lombard Trophy-winning season.
Putting Gardner-Johnson at the slot could be a bit of a gamble even if he played the position for Allen in New Orleans, because he hasn't been a slot cornerback since then. He became a safety with the Eagles and played there briefly in Detroit in 2023.
"We'll lock him in in one spot and have him learn the defense, you know," Johnson said.
"Obviously, he's been with D.A. and so he should have some familiarity but he's also bounced around to a few different other systems over the last few years and so we'll see how quickly it comes back to him and whether he'll be ready to go this week or not."
NFC scout drops Brandon Graham truth that makes Eagles' trade deadline imperative
Philadelphia Eagles fans are still excited that they got their legendary defensive end, Brandon Graham, back after coming out of retirement, but there is still a harsh reality that fans need to understand about him.
The trade deadline in the NFL is less than a week away, and the Eagles still have some work to do with general manager Howie Roseman looking to strike at least one more deal after trading with the New York Jets to acquire cornerback Michael Carter II. While people love seeing Graham back, one NFC scout told
"Getting Brandon [Graham] back [out of retirement] is a nice story, but he’s a part-time player who will only marginally help their pass rush," the NFC scout said. "They are getting no push off the edge and Howie knows they can’t win that way."
Eagles still have a glaring edge rusher problem
No one in Philly is in denial about the problems the team has had with edge rushers in 2025. From Nolan Smith Jr. and Ogbo Okoronkwo being placed on IR to Za'Darius Smith retiring, as well as Azeez Ojulari being hurt, it has been a bad year at the position.
The group currently has 4.5 sacks and 18 quarterback hits through eight games. Right now, the top edge rusher has been Jalyx Hunt, who has had one sack, eight quarterback hits, and a pick-six on the season.
While Graham does significantly upgrade the position, there is a lot of truth in the scout's comments that is 100% accurate. Graham is only expected to play 15-20 snaps per game and be utilized in pass-rushing situations, as he is not the hybrid edge rusher that defensive coordinator Vic Fangio prefers, who can also drop back into coverage.
There is still time for the Eagles to examine the market for a trade and could have a good option for a trade partner: the Miami Dolphins. Vacchiano shared in his same report on the Eagles that there are two names from the Dolphins to watch out for in a trade.
"Two names to keep an eye on: Dolphins edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, both of whom played for current Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio when he was with Miami in 2023."
Miami is coming off a 28-6 blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens to open up Week 9 action. Now with the Dolphins sitting at 2-7 on the season, they are expected to be sellers in the trade market.
Graham is a great piece to have rather as a leader than a player, but the Eagles need to keep their foot on the pedal and get another edge rusher to round out the roster.
