The NFL regular season has moved into Week 9, and several teams continue searching for help to strengthen their rosters. On Wednesday, the Chicago Bears made a notable move by adding a former Detroit Lion to their lineup.

According to Dan Wiederer of The Athletic, the Bears are signing safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to their active roster on Wednesday. This decision follows the Ben Johnson-led Bears’ 30-16 road loss to the Baltimore Ravens, which highlighted their defensive shortcomings. Seeking an energy boost, the team turned to a onetime Lion who left Detroit on sour terms.

Ex-Lion C.J. Gardner-Johnson Signs With Bears on Wednesday

Back in 2023, the Lions signed Gardner-Johnson to a one-year, $8 million deal, hoping he’d inject life into a struggling secondary. Unfortunately, things didn’t unfold as planned.

Gardner-Johnson suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 2 of the 2023 season, sidelining him for most of the year before his December return. During his brief stint in Detroit, he posted 17 total tackles and three pass breakups across three games.

After the season, Gardner-Johnson joined the Philadelphia Eagles and didn’t hold back when discussing his time in Detroit. Speaking to Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press before Super Bowl LIX, he harshly criticized the Lions organization, describing his lone year there as “hell.” He also accused the team of deceiving him about their plans to re-sign him.

“It was hell. I got lied to, so it was, whatever. I got told, respectfully, I was going to get brought back and didn’t get brought back. And offseason went real for me, signing back here because I wasn’t really tripping on it. It all worked out.”

C.J. Gardner-Johnson

Whether or not his claims are accurate remains unclear, but the comments certainly revealed lingering bitterness about his Detroit exit. Rather than staying quiet, Gardner-Johnson openly fired back at his former team, and a reunion on the field could happen in Week 18 when the Lions meet the Bears.

It’s also uncertain if Gardner-Johnson will manage to hold onto his spot in Chicago, as he’s already been cut by both the Texans and Ravens this year. Given that track record, his ability to fit into a depleted Bears secondary will be something to watch closely.