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C.J. Gardner-Johnson signs deal with Bills: How he fits in Buffalo
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- C.J. Gardner-Johnson signs deal with Bills: How he fits in Buffalo
The Buffalo Bills ' new-look secondary just got a Super Bowl-winning addition.
Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson is signing with the team on a one-year deal, per multiple reports . The contract is worth up to $6 million.
Gardner-Johnson hit free agency after spending the first three games of the 2025 NFL season with the Houston Texans . They released him after Week 3 and he spent a week on the Baltimore Ravens ' practice squad. Baltimore released him after a week and he finished the year out with the eventual NFC North-champion Chicago Bears .
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The New Orleans Saints drafted Gardner-Johnson in the fourth round, No. 105 overall, in the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent the first three years of his career there before playing games for Philadelphia (2022 and 2024), Detroit (2023), Houston (2025) and Chicago (2025).
Gardner-Johnson led the NFL in interceptions in 2022 for the Eagles and won a Super Bowl with the team in his return season in 2024.
Gardner-Johnson seemed to confirm his signing in Buffalo by posting a GIF on X of Bills quarterback Josh Allen .
C.J. Gardner-Johnson contract details
Here's how Gardner-Johnson's new contract with the Bills looks by the numbers:
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Term:One year
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Total contract value:Up to $6 million
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Average annual value (AAV):Up to $6 million
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Guaranteed money:TBA
C.J. Gardner-Johnson stats
Gardner-Johnson is entering his eighth NFL season in 2026. He's suited up for five teams in his career and here's a look at his stats through his eight years:
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Games played:87 (71 starts)
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Interceptions:20
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Pick-sixes:1
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Passes defensed:55
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Forced fumbles:3
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Fumble recoveries:1
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Sacks:7.0
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Tackles (for loss):370 (27)
How does C.J. Gardner-Johnson fit with the Bills?
Buffalo's defense is going through some changes after a divisional-round exit from the NFL playoffs in 2025. New defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard will have a younger unit in 2026, including at safety. Gardner-Johnson will likely start at strong safety next to Cole Bishop at free safety.
Gardner-Johnson takes over for Jordan Poyer as a veteran who is six years younger and experienced with multiple defensive systems. Leonhard comes from Denver , which ran one of the more diverse defenses in the NFL in 2025. The Broncos deployed a mix of zone and man schemes from game to game depending on matchups.
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Denver's defense featured pressure packages from all over the formation. Gardner-Johnson's seven career sacks shows he's no slouch when getting after the quarterback for a safety.
Last year, Gardner-Johnson had a career-worst 93.4 passer rating allowed in coverage, per NFL Pro Stats. That could be overblown by the Bears' secondary that often relied on turnovers to compensate for deficiencies in coverage.
Buffalo's defense will likely look a lot different in 2026 than a year ago. Adding someone with Gardner-Johnson's experience while also getting younger in the secondary leaves the Bills with a less glaring need in the defensive back room. He should be a solid fit for Leonard in year one on a low-risk, short-term contract.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: C.J. Gardner-Johnson contract: Bills, S agree to three-year deal
