Veteran safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (L) spent last season with the Philadelphia Eagles. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
The Chicago Bears agreed to sign safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, a source familiar with the deal told UPI on Wednesday. He will join the Bears’ active roster.
Gardner-Johnson, 27, was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Houston Texans this off-season. The Texans released the seven-year veteran in September. He signed with the Ravens earlier this month, but was released about a week later.
Gardner-Johnson logged 15 combined tackles over three starts earlier this year for the Texans. He totaled 59 combined tackles, 12 passes defensed and tied his career-high with six interceptions, including one for a score, over 16 starts last season for the Eagles. He added another 14 combined tackles during the Eagles’ title-winning run last postseason.
The fourth-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in the 2019 NFL Draft also spent time with the Detroit Lions. Gardner-Johnson totaled 18 interceptions over the first 77 appearances of his NFL career.
He will add depth to a Bears secondary decimated by injuries, with Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon on injured reserve. Also, fellow cornerback Tyrique Stevenson is dealing with a shoulder injury.
With Kevin Byard and Jaquon Brisker expected to remain at safety, Gardner-Johnson could move into a slot role amid Gordon’s absence.
The Bears (4-3) will take on the Cincinnati Bengals (3-5) at 1 p.m. EST Sunday in Cincinnati.
