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C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Bills' New Leader or Volatile Star?
27 May
Summary
- C.J. Gardner-Johnson brings energy and a leadership presence.
- He has played for five different NFL teams previously.
- Gardner-Johnson recorded 66 tackles and 3 sacks last season.

New defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard has lauded C.J. Gardner-Johnson as an immediate difference-maker for the Buffalo Bills. The seven-year veteran, acquired via free agency, is bringing energy and a vocal leadership presence to the team's offseason program, which includes OTAs and mandatory minicamp. Leonhard acknowledged that Gardner-Johnson's outspoken nature can sometimes be a challenge, but the team is excited about his passion.
Gardner-Johnson, who has played for five different NFL teams, is expected to start alongside Cole Bishop. Last season, he recorded 66 tackles and a career-best three sacks with the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans. Leonhard hopes Gardner-Johnson's knack for takeaways, evidenced by his 20 career interceptions, will help implement a chaotic defensive system aimed at forcing opposing offenses into mistakes.