BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Bills have added yet another outside defensive free agent, agreeing to terms with safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson on a one-year deal worth up to $6 million, his agents told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Thursday.
Gardner-Johnson, 28, becomes Buffalo's third outside defensive free agent signing this week, joining pass rusher Bradley Chubb and cornerback Dee Alford. The Bills are building the team's defense under new coordinator Jim Leonhard, shifting from former head coach Sean McDermott's scheme of the past nine seasons.
Safety was among the positions of need for the Bills, who have not re-signed any of their outgoing free agents at the position -- Jordan Poyer, Damar Hamlin and Darnell Savage. Taylor Rapp, a Week 1 starter last season, was cut in a cap-saving move ahead of the new league year.
Gardner-Johnson appears likely to have the opportunity to compete for the starting job alongside Cole Bishop, a starter last season and the team's only locked-in player at safety. Bishop is going into his third season and played alongside a rotating door of players last year, largely due to injuries.
Gardner-Johnson's deal continues a trend for president of football operations and general manager Brandon Beane, who has made a series of one-year commitments to veterans with the hope they can reach a high level in Buffalo.
Originally a fourth-round pick by the Saints in 2019, Gardner-Johnson spent the first three seasons of his career in New Orleans before stints with the Philadelphia Eagles (2022 and 2024) and Detroit Lions (2023). This past season, he spent time briefly with the Baltimore Ravens and then played in games for the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears. He had seven starts in Chicago, recording 51 tackles, two interceptions and four passes defensed.
Gardner-Johnson's best statistical seasons came with the Eagles; he had a career-best six interceptions in each of his two seasons with the team and also helped it win Super Bowl LIX.
