The entire NFL is in preparation mode with the 2026 free agency period beginning in just a few days. The Chicago Bears will look to re-sign several players who played key roles during their expectation-exceeding 2025 season, with safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson being one of the many whose future is up in the air.
Gardner-Johnson joined the Bears mid-season, quickly becoming one of defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's most impactful performers. With that being said, there hasn't been much buzz about the veteran defensive back signing a new deal with Chicago, and the possibility of that appears to be a long shot after CJGJ seemingly broke up with the franchise this weekend.
On Saturday, Gardner-Johnson hopped on his X account to say that he wishes "the love was mutual" when it comes to vouching for his teammates. Twenty minutes after that, Bears safety and teammate Jaquan Brisker responded by saying he has love for Gardner-Johnson, adding, "my mf guy go be greater."
While this could be an example of two upcoming UFAs gassing each other up, it might be the final sign that the Bears' relationship with Gardner-Johnson has run its course.
Bears Split from CJ Gardner-Johnson Seems Inevitable After Saturday
Even though Gardner-Johnson didn't outright say he was leaving Chicago, he clearly isn't happy with how he's been treated. Throw in the fact that Brisker is telling him to "go be great," and it certainly sounds like No. 35 will be sporting another team's uniform come September.
As disappointing as it'd be to see Gardner-Johnson play elsewhere, a potential (and now likely) exit wouldn't be shocking. After all, it was only two weeks ago when the 28-year-old defender was caught on a livestream, saying he wanted the Philadelphia Eagles "to get with me."
That came a few weeks after he posted on X that he was "too chill for the run around."
After brief stints with the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens, Gardner-Johnson joined the Bears in mid-October. Chicago's secondary needed a boost, and that's exactly what he provided in defensive pass game coordinator and DBs coach Al Harris' unit, as he amassed 35 solo tackles, four defended passes, three sacks, two interceptions, and a forced fumble in 10 games (seven starts).
Gardner-Johnson then went on to record four solo tackles and a pass break-up against the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round loss. Between the regular season and playoffs, he only allowed 43 catches on 63 targets (68.3%) for 488 yards, three touchdowns, and a 93.9 passer rating.
Gardner-Johnson's presence in the Bears' secondary will be missed if this is the end of his time in the Windy City. Conversely, Chicago shouldn't want to keep players who are quick to stir the pot on social media, so perhaps a split when the market opens will help both sides in the long run.
Either way, if Gardner-Johnson wasn't done with the Bears before, it certainly seems that way after Saturday, leaving time to tell if he does have what it takes to "be better," as Brisker assumes.