C.J. Gardner-Johnson Bears News Bears Free Agency Bears Safety
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Bears head coach Ben Johnson.
The Chicago Bears have roughly one week to decide which of their pending free-agent safeties they want to re-sign before the start of 2026 NFL free agency, but one of their veterans seems to be already dropping hints about staying put.
The Bears have both of their starting safeties — Pro Bowl veteran Kevin Byard III and former second-round pick Jaquan Brisker — due to become unrestricted free agents when the league officially turns the page to the 2026 year at 4 p.m. ET on March 11.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Jonathan Owens and Elijah Hicks are also set to have their contracts expire when the new league year begins, leaving the Bears with Gervarrius Owens — a 2023 seventh-round pick — as their only safety under contract for 2026.
While the Bears have indicated they plan to prioritize striking a new deal with Byard after his Pro Bowl season in 2025, it is still unclear which of their other pending free-agent safeties they will attempt to re-sign before open negotiations begin next week.
Gardner-Johnson may have just dropped a hint about remaining in Chicago, though, posting several photos of Bears cornerbacks coach Al Harris working with him in practice during the 2025 season in addition to the caption: “Al Harris University.”
C.J. Gardner-Johnson
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(Al Harris University)
C.J. Gardner-Johnson Could Fit Bears’ Draft Plans
Gardner-Johnson didn’t start the 2025 season with the Bears, but he supplied a critical boost for their secondary when he joined their 53-man roster in late November and immediately jumped into the slot role in place of injured cornerback Kyler Gordon.
In his first three games, Gardner-Johnson seemed to make impact plays with regularity. He tallied three sacks and four tackles for loss and forced a fumble in the red zone that sparked the Bears’ second-half comeback against the New York Giants. He also added two interceptions in his subsequent eight games, even as his splash plays died down.
While the Bears would not want to sign Gardner-Johnson to an extension to become their permanent slot cornerback (as Gordon should return to full strength in 2026), it would be reasonable if they found appeal in his versatility as a nickel player and strong safety, especially if they also manage to bring back Byard as their Pro Bowl free safety.
An extension for Gardner-Johnson could also provide the Bears with an ideal veteran bridge if they invest one or multiple of their draft picks in the 2026 safety class. They may not have the luxury of targeting a Day 1 starter at the position with other needs to address, but the presence of two veterans would help with easing a rookie into action.
Will Bears Re-Sign Any of Their Free-Agent Safeties?
Gardner-Johnson could make sense as an extension candidate for the Bears before the start of the new league year, but he is not the only safety who could land a new deal.
Byard is the most likely candidate to receive an extension from the Bears. He led the league with seven interceptions in 2025 and is a core defensive leader for the locker room, giving the team plenty of incentive to bring him back. Unfortunately for them, the market could push Byard’s price above what the Bears are willing to pay for him.
Alternatively, the Bears could weigh a new deal for Brisker, but his severe history with concussions and his unspectacular 2025 season would seem to make it far less likely.
There’s also Owens and Hicks, who have filled out backup roles on defense for most of their tenures with the Bears, but also have value as core special teams contributors. An inexpensive deal for either one could make sense if they still fit the defensive vision.