It hasn’t necessarily been pretty, but the Chicago Bears have continually found a way to piece things together this season, which has led to them posting a 6-3 record through nine games. A significant reason for their success has been the defense’s ability to compensate for an oftentimes inconsistent offense, with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen leading the unit into battle this season.
After a failed stint as the New Orleans Saints‘ head coach, Allen returned to his roots on the defensive side of the ball, where he has helped the Bears take a big step forward this season. Part of his success has involved getting the most out of his players, with one guy in particular who fits that bill being veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Ahead of the team’s Week 11 action, Allen pulled back the curtain on his relationship with the controversial defensive back.
Dennis Allen Dishes on C.J. Gardner-Johnson Relationship
Gardner-Johnson initially broke into the league as a fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft with the Saints. At the time, Allen was New Orleans’ defensive coordinator, so he played a big role in turning him into a starting-caliber player. Gardner-Johnson started 31 of the 43 games he played in for his first three seasons with the Saints before he ended up getting traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Things haven’t exactly gone according to plan for Gardner-Johnson this season. After signing with the Houston Texans in free agency, Gardner-Johnson was released by the team after suiting up for just three games. He briefly latched on with the Baltimore Ravens‘ practice squad before he eventually found his way to the Bears, reuniting with Allen in the process.
In two games with Chicago, Gardner-Johnson has quickly emerged as a key piece of the team’s secondary. Playing within Allen’s system again seems to have helped the Gardner-Johnson out quite a bit, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him continue earning more and more snaps as the season progresses. When discussing his relationship with Gardner-Johnson, Allen revealed that there’s a level of trust between the two of them that has helped him find his fit with the Bears.
“I was in New Orleans when we drafted him,” Allen said on Thursday. “We were the first group that got an opportunity to coach him. He had success with us in this system, and I think there’s a trust level on both sides. I know exactly what we’re getting in the player, and I think it’s positive, and I think he understands how we’re going to operate and how we do things.”
Dennis Allen, Bears Set to Continue Leaning on C.J. Gardner-Johnson
GettyDennis Allen surveys the field during the first day of Chicago Bears training camp
Chicago’s secondary is a bit beat up, as Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Terrell Smith are all on injured reserve. That has resulted in Gardner-Johnson shifting back to the cornerback position that he initially played early in his career with Allen. As the team’s top nickelback, Gardner-Johnson has looked impressive after struggling early in the year.
The Bears have suddenly found themselves in a tightly contested playoff race atop the NFC North with the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, so every game is going to be very important moving forward. Chicago has a difficult divisional clash against the Minnesota Vikings on its hands in Week 11, with kickoff for this game scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
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