The Buffalo Bills and rest of the NFL are awaiting the 2026 draft as the dust has settled on the first wave of free agency this offseason.
Among Buffalo’s signing in free agency this offseason was safety CJ Gardner-Johnson. The 28-year-old has a chance to find himself a starting spot with the Bills alongside Cole Bishop after inking a one-year deal with the team.
Because of that, you’ll want to get to know him more now.
Here are seven things to know about the Bills’ new safety:
Has bounced around
Gardner-Johnson entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick in 2019 by the New Orleans Saints. He spent three years there and has since bounced around. Gardner-Johnson then went to the Philadelphia Eagles, to the Detroit Lions, back to Philly, traded to the Houston Texans, then the Baltimore Ravens practice squad and then the Chicago Bears.
The most questionable area was the Texans bit, which was exactly that: Three games and then released. Because of that, Gardner-Johnson could be a low-risk, high-reward gamble for the Bills.
Can’t take it away from him
Despite bouncing around the NFL, there are some things that you can’t take away from Gardner-Johnson.
With the Eagles, Gardner-Johnson won Super Bowl LIX over the Kansas City Chiefs. Buffalo will appreciate that.
In 2022, Gardner-Johnson led the NFL with six interceptions as well. His six were in a tie for the NFL lead with three other players.
What happened in Houston?
After Gardner-Johnson was surprisingly released, Houston head coach Demeco Ryans simply called it what was “best for the team.”
A report added light. According to Aaron Wilson of Click2Houston.com, the player was not happy about his role in the Texans defense. He reportedly caused “friction” about it behind the scenes and Gardner-Johnson even asked to be traded.
Other incidents
Gardner-Johnson has had other incidents on the field throughout his NFL career worth noting as well.
One with the Lions involved Gardner-Johnson getting into a scrum with Bears wide receiver Javon Wims during a game. Gardner-Johnson ripped out a mouth piece and some jabbing was done, but a spitting allegation was made which was denied by Gardner-Johnson.
Gardner-Johnson also took jabs for waving at San Francisco 49ers fans while with the Lions during the NFC Championship game while his team was up big… and they lost.
Even so, the Bills have admitted they want players with an edge to their game. He’s got that.
This pregame ritual
Pregame rituals are a bit popular in Buffalo because of quarterback Josh Allen, The franchise quarterback for the Bills says he throws up before every game.
As for Gardner-Johnson? He told the Bears’ website that he sits upside down:
This may sound crazy, but I sit upside down for about 20 minutes, with my legs in the air. It’s for the blood flow. It helps for quick recovery, and keeps the nervousness down. Like, it’s funny. Sitting upside down makes my butterflies go to my head, and I burp it out.
Has a touchdown
Gardner-Johnson has found the end zone at least once in his career, recording a pick six interception off of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush in 2024:
Life after football?
How long could Gardner-Johnson be with the Bills? Or how about the NFL? That remains to be seen, but he has an idea of what he wants to do after his career: Become a live streamer.
An ironic choice considering the recent Dion Dawkins live stream situation…
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 7 things to know about new Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Reporting by Nick Wojton, USA TODAY / Bills Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
