Chicago Bears' latest signing might signal a shift in dynamics in the organization with Ben Johnson calling the shots

C.J. Gardner-Johnson signing isn't a move you'd expect to see out of GM Ryan Poles

After placing standout cornerback Kyler Gordon on the injured reserve over the weekend, the Bears had a clear need at the nickel position on defense, something that was clearly evident in Sunday's loss. But, the team had limited options unless the front office and coaching staff went after a trade using future draft capital, something the team seems to be against as far as the 2025 season goes.

Landing Gardner-Johnson off the open market is the best of both worlds from an addition standpoint. The Bears snagged a starting caliber nickel to replace Gordon for the short-term, with experience in Allen's system, while not giving up future picks. Seems like the ideal signing, right?

But, when you look at the player himself, it's clear this isn't something general manager Ryan Poles would normally swing. Since trading for wide receiver Chase Claypool, and the locker room disaster that followed, Poles has been wary of the type of players he brings into the locker room.

Even before the Claypool trade, Poles opted to draft two defensive backs in Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker in the second-round of the 2022 NFL Draft, passing on a talented wide receiver in George Pickens due to his character red flags. In the 2023 NFL Draft, Poles did the same thing again passing on defensive tackle Jalen Carter in favor of right tackle Darnell Wright in the first-round for the same character concern reasons.

When speaking to the media ahead of the 2025 season, Poles was asked about any additions that could be made down the road (signings or trades) and his answer was telling.

“We’re also trying to find, is it the right culture fit?" Poles explained. "There’s more levels to it than just grabbing the talent and bringing it in. There’s some impact things that happen in your locker room and on the field and your salary cap. Yeah it can give you a burst of energy, but long-term does it make sense for you or is it going to be a derailer down the road?”

There's some clear red flags with C.J. Gardner-Johnson

Which leads us to the signing of Gardner-Johnson, making Chicago the fourth team in the calendar year to swing on the upside he brings as a player while taking on the risk he brings as well.

In February, Gardner-Johnson was on the field for the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs. A little over a month later, the Eagles shipped Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans in a move to provide cap relief ahead of the draft, or so everyone thought.

"Scared of a competitor," Gardner-Johnson said when asked why he was traded from Philadelphia on  The Pivot podcast. "Simple as that."

Gardner-Johnson went on to describe a practice scrum he got into with teammates during the postseason, after noting he lost some support from the coaching staff when he was ejected against the Washington Commanders earlier in the season. Unfortunately, it's common behavior.

Throughout his career, Gardner-Johnson has been a fiery and out-spoken competitor, a combination that be great as long as it's controlled and problematic if it's not, the latter usually has been the case for Gardner-Johnson.

Before re-joining the Eagles, Gardner-Johnson was in Detroit alongside his new head coach and former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. His tenure with the Lions lasted three games after suffering a torn pectoral muscle. After leaving in free agency, Gardner-Johnson reflected on his time saying he was "lied to" and became the "villain of the team" leading him to sign back in Philly.

Flashforward back to the trade to Houston, it seemed like a logical fit in head coach DeMeco Ryans' high-energy, hard-nosed scheme. Yet, three games into the regular season, Gardner-Johnson was released due to "criticism of teammates" and "complaints about his role" with the Texans.

So, Gardner-Johnson was back on the market and in early October signed with the Baltimore Ravens practice squad. Another stint that ended in a "mutual decision" after just one week, again pointing the reasoning toward his fit on defense.

Which now leads Gardner-Johnson to Chicago and with everything considered, it's clear this signing was more of a Ben Johnson and Dennis Allen decision than a Ryan Poles decision.

But, the fact of the matter is, Gardner-Johnson is a capable player in a role that fits his strengths and desires. Chicago, after Gordon's injury, was able to offer that role for Gardner-Johnson to start defensively and we'll see what the results turn out to be after that.