Feb. 16, 2026, 12:01 p.m. ET
The New York Giants are settling in with their new coaching staff nicely, and it’s time to turn our attention to free agency. The NFL’s 2026 free agency period begins at 4:00 p.m. ET on March 11, with the legal tampering period beginning two days earlier.
The Giants have some specific needs to address during the free agency period, but they don’t have a lot of cap space to work with, so Joe Schoen is going to have to get creative with his offers.
One of the Giants’ needs in free agency is to add depth and impact players to their secondary, leading FOX Sports to suggest the Giants sign safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, S, Bears
Gardner-Johnson, 28, is such a mixed bag, with six picks each in 2022 and 2024 in Super Bowl seasons with the Eagles, but he bounced from the Texans to the Bears last year, with two picks, three sacks and inconsistent play. Giving him a valuation is difficult — is he the guy who got $9 million a year not that long ago, or the one who was cut in-season and took a league-minimum deal with the Bears? Pairing him with the right coach to get him focused and playing at a high level again is a gamble that could still pay off.
Prediction: Signs with Giants
Gardner-Johnson ranks 90th on their top 100 free agent list, and he would be a welcome addition to the Giants’ secondary. His veteran experience, reliability, and consistent play will make him a target for multiple teams. The question will be, as the article asks, what is he worth?
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.
2025 was a difficult year for the veteran safety, but the problem may have been more about fit than anything else. Pairing him with the right coach is essential, and Dennard Wilson’s scheme is suitable for Gardner-Johnson, who can also line up at nickelback.
Even if the Giants decide to go after Gardner-Johnson, they don’t have a ton of money to work with. They’ll be able to play off of his 2025 “down” season and offer him less, but that doesn’t mean he will take it. And the Giants will likely have competition for him, despite his down season.
