Overview
- The Bears added Gardner-Johnson to the active roster on Oct. 29 and he practiced with the team ahead of Week 9.
- His arrival reunites him with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who coached him in New Orleans during his first three NFL seasons.
- Chicago’s cornerback group is depleted, with Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon on injured reserve and Tyrique Stevenson recently sidelined.
- The team intends to deploy Gardner-Johnson primarily in the slot, with Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard remaining at safety.
- After a Super Bowl-winning 2024 season with Philadelphia (59 tackles, six interceptions), he started three games for Houston before a release reported to involve role-related friction, then briefly joined Baltimore’s practice squad.