This Bears newcomer is making a big impact right away
The Chicago Bears landed an instant-impact player when they signed veteran defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
When injuries damaged the Chicago Bears' depth in the secondary over the first half of the 2025 season, they turned to a veteran free agent to provide some relief.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson has delivered in a big way since joining the team, immediately becoming a splash-play machine for the Bears defense:
The Bears are clearly maximizing Gardner-Johnson's unique skill set and versatility, particularly when it comes to making plays behind the line of scrimmage:
The Bears' offense is humming right now behind Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson, and inconsistency from the defense is the only thing holding the team back.
If Gardner-Johnson can continue to have this kind of impact, it could help elevate the entire defense down the stretch. If that happens, the Bears could be a dangerous team the rest of the way in 2025, competing for a playoff spot and a potential NFC North title.
