The Buffalo Bills keep adding talent to the roster in the 2026 offseason through NFL free agency, signing veteran defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson to a one-year, $6 million contract on Thursday. The 28-year-old former Super Bowl champion brings 20 career interceptions to a secondary undergoing a complete overhaul under GM Brandon Beane this offseason. Gardner-Johnson played for the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans last season.

Buffalo Bills Announce C.J. Gardner-Johnson Signing

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Gardner-Johnson’s deal was confirmed by NFL insider Tom Pelissero, with agents Kevin Conner and Robert Brown of Uni Sports Management negotiating the contract. The Buffalo Bills have now made many significant roster moves this offseason, and the secondary has been a clear priority after the team traded Taron Johnson to the Raiders.

The Buffalo Bills are building something dangerous in the defensive backfield. And they’re not done yet, as the secondary could go from a big concern to a strength of the Bills in 2025.

Buffalo Bills Sign C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Stats and Career Overview

Gardner-Johnson has been one of the NFL’s most productive ball hawks over the past four seasons. He led the league with 6 interceptions with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022, then returned to Philly in 2024 and posted another 6 interceptions and a touchdown en route to winning Super Bowl LIX.

The former fourth-round pick out of Florida has 370 career tackles, 20 interceptions, and 55 passes defensed across 87 career games. His 2025 season was a bumpy one — he was released by the Houston Texans after just three games before landing with the Chicago Bears for the final 10 games, where he tallied 51 tackles, 2 interceptions, and a career-high 3.0 sacks.

Gardner-Johnson has played for five teams in the last four seasons — but his playmaking ability has never been in question.

How C.J. Gardner-Johnson Fits the Buffalo Bills Defense

This signing makes perfect sense alongside the Bills’ addition of Dee Alford, who signed a three-year, $21 million deal on Monday. Alford is a slot corner coming off career-highs in interceptions and passes defensed with the Falcons, while Gardner-Johnson offers versatility as a safety.

Buffalo also signed edge rusher Bradley Chubb to a three-year, $43.5 million deal on Thursday, giving the Bills a pass rush and secondary combination that could help terrorize AFC East quarterbacks. At just $6 million on a one-year prove-it deal, Gardner-Johnson is a low-risk, high-ceiling addition who could thrive with a fresh start in Buffalo.

At his best, Gardner-Johnson is a game-changing defender. The Bills are betting they get that version.

What This Means for the Buffalo Bills in 2026

The Bills’ offseason has been nothing short of a blitz. In the last week alone, Buffalo has traded for DJ Moore, re-signed Connor McGovern, extended Dawson Knox, reworked Tyler Bass’ contract, signed Dee Alford, landed Bradley Chubb, and now added Gardner-Johnson. Beane restructured Josh Allen’s deal to create roughly $12 million in cap space, and he’s used every dollar aggressively.

With the 2026 NFL Draft still ahead, the Bills will add more pieces to the puzzle, and the Gardner-Johnson signing gives Buffalo some more flexibility.