Buffalo, NY – October 15, 2025 — The Buffalo Bills have made a decisive move to stabilize their secondary, signing a former Super Bowl–winning defensive back just 18 hours after his release from the Baltimore Ravens. The deal comes as the team enters its bye week facing a dangerously thin safety room.
Buffalo’s defensive depth has been stretched to the limit. Damar Hamlin remains on Injured Reserve with a pectoral tear, and Wande Owens was waived with injury in August. That leaves only
Taylor Rapp and Cole Bishop as active safeties, both battling their own durability concerns.
That’s why the Bills turned to C.J. Gardner-Johnson, a 27-year-old veteran with proven instincts, attitude, and championship experience. Gardner-Johnson, who recorded six interceptions during the Eagles’ Super Bowl run, brings the exact mix of leadership and aggression that Sean McDermott’s defense needs.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson Declares He’ll Become a Star in Buffalo After Signing With Bills pic.twitter.com/tAVxWq6YhZ
— Adam Schetfer (@fanhub_nfl) October 15, 2025
Rapp, now 30, has a history of knee problems, and Bishop — just 22 — cramped late in Week 6 against the Falcons. With hybrid corner
Dorian Strong still on IR and no natural safety on the practice squad, the Bills were one injury away from disaster.
“This move is about stability,” a team source told ESPN.
“You don’t wait until the problem becomes a crisis. We need leadership in the back end, and he provides that.”
The timing couldn’t be better. The Week 7 bye gives Gardner-Johnson time to learn McDermott’s defensive calls before a critical two-game stretch against the Panthers and Dolphins — both teams known for deep vertical attacks.
Across seven NFL seasons, Gardner-Johnson has totaled 18 interceptions and 51 passes defended, earning a reputation as one of the league’s most vocal and fiery competitors. His versatility to play both safety spots makes him an instant asset.
With a 4-2 record and playoff hopes on the line, Buffalo didn’t just sign a player — they secured a tone-setter. This is more than roster insurance. It’s a message to the AFC: the Bills are reloading for another run.
Ex-Lions Star Clears the Way for Detroit Return with $3M Contract After Major Life Change
Detroit, MI – August 11, 2025 –
The Detroit Lions’ preseason buildup has taken an intriguing turn, as a familiar veteran edge presence has unexpectedly re-entered the conversation. A personal shift away from the spotlight has now opened a professional opportunity back in the Motor City.
Team sources and local reports suggest Detroit is exploring experienced options to round out its defensive rotation. With depth concerns mounting and the franchise’s playoff ambitions rising, the timing of this player’s renewed availability couldn’t be more significant.
The man at the center of the speculation is veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith, who remains unsigned after a turbulent offseason. Once considered a fixture on playoff-caliber defenses, he now stands on the cusp of a potential Detroit reunion.
His personal reset began with a high-profile breakup, one that drew national attention. “Za’Darius a great guy but we can’t see eye to eye… we decided to part ways,” Kash Doll, his former partner, shared publicly before stepping away from social media.
Beyond personal headlines, Smith immersed himself in meaningful endeavors, including a trip to Ghana tied to charitable foundations. The visit offered him both perspective and renewal, fueling what many around him now describe as his most focused offseason in years.
Back in the U.S., Lions general manager Brad Holmes confirmed that communication with Smith has continued. Holmes underlined Detroit’s approach to roster building: “The best man’s gonna play, the best man’s gonna make the team,”
reinforcing the franchise’s win-now mentality.
Reports indicate Detroit is considering offering Smith a one-year, $3 million contract, a pragmatic deal that balances his veteran pedigree with the team’s evolving depth chart. His addition would further elevate competition in a defensive unit already rich with young talent.
For a Lions squad striving to convert potential into championship-level performance, Smith’s proven ability to disrupt backfields could be decisive. With personal distractions behind him and professional urgency ahead, his second act in Detroit may be only a signature away.
