The Chicago Bears are addressing their depleted defensive backfield by signing veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the active roster.
The move comes as the team deals with multiple injuries in the secondary and searches for stability heading into the second half of the season.
According to reports, the Bears’ new defensive back has officially picked his jersey number.
“Chicago Bears S C.J. Gardner-Johnson is wearing number 35. Last assigned to Zah Frazier,” NFL Jersey Numbers shared.
Chicago Bears S C.J. Gardner-Johnson (@CGJXXIII) is wearing number 35. Last assigned to Zah Frazier. #DaBears pic.twitter.com/kG13CJk914
— NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl_jersey_num) October 29, 2025
The jersey selection marks the sixth number Gardner-Johnson has worn since entering the league in 2019.
He previously wore 22 with the New Orleans Saints, 23 and 8 with the Eagles, 2 with the Detroit Lions, and 8 with the Texans.
The 27-year-old safety has been with four different teams over the past year.
He played for the Philadelphia Eagles during their Super Bowl run before joining the Houston Texans and later signing with the Baltimore Ravens.
Both Houston and Baltimore released him within the span of two months before Chicago stepped in with an opportunity.
Chicago started the season with an 0-2 record before winning four consecutive games.
They lost to Baltimore last week but still hold momentum heading into a favorable stretch of their schedule.
The Bears placed Kyler Gordon on injured reserve last week, creating a void at nickel corner that Nick McCloud has not filled effectively.
Head coach Ben Johnson confirmed that Gardner-Johnson will step into the slot role as he adjusts to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s system.
The move addresses an immediate need while giving Chicago another experienced option in coverage situations that have exposed their secondary throughout the early portion of the season.
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