C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Bills Agree to Contract After Bradley Chubb Deal in 2026 NFL Free Agency

The Buffalo Bills signed safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to a one-year contract worth up to $6 million on Thursday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Gardner-Johnson reacted to the agreement in a post on X.

He appeared in 13 combined games with the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans last season, including 10 starts.

The Bills have focused on making defensive additions in free agency as of late, handing edge-rusher Bradley Chubb a three-year deal worth $43.5 million on Wednesday.

Gardner-Johnson opened the 2025 season in Houston, appearing in three games with the Texans before they released him. He was briefly a member of the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad, but didn't appear in any games before he was eventually signed by the Bears.

The 28-year-old racked up 66 tackles, six quarterback hits, five tackles for loss, four passes defended and two interceptions with Houston and Chicago.

Since entering the NFL in 2019, Gardner-Johnson has been a member of the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions before spending time with the Texans and Bears. He won a Super Bowl title with the Eagles during the 2024 season.

While the Bills owned the NFL's No. 1 pass defense in 2025 by allowing a mere 156.9 yards per game through the air, they entered the offseason searching for more depth at safety.

Buffalo released safety Taylor Rapp on Monday, while veteran Jordan Poyer is currently a free agent.

As the Bills attempt to clinch an eighth consecutive playoff appearance in 2026, they added Gardner-Johnson on Thursday.