C.J. Gardner-Johnson explains why he signed with the Buffalo Bills, pointing to Josh Allen, a winning culture, and the chance to compete for another championship.
For C. J. Gardner-Johnson, the decision to join the Buffalo Bills came down to something simple: Winning.
Speaking with Buffalo media last week, the veteran defensive back made it clear that at this stage of his career, he’s focused on putting himself in the best possible position to compete for another championship.
"I mean, being eight years in, won one, been in two conference championships," Gardner-Johnson said Friday. "I think just really trying to compete for a championship."
That mindset played a big role in why Buffalo appealed to him.
The Bills have consistently been in the mix in the AFC over the past several seasons, and Gardner-Johnson pointed directly to the team’s leadership at quarterback as one of the reasons he believes the opportunity is real.
"I want to win," said the Super Bowl champion, explaining why Buffalo stood out. "Have a chance to win with a good quarterback. [Josh Allen] is phenomenal at what he do. So I just want to be a part of a team that has a fighting chance every Sunday."
For Gardner-Johnson, the appeal wasn’t just about the offense or the quarterback. It was about joining a roster that already knows what it means to compete at a high level every week.
"I think just having to go out there and be you and playing your football with guys that have been playing at a high caliber," he said. "So I think it’s about surrounding myself with superstars."
Gardner-Johnson also pointed to the value of championship experience inside a locker room.
"Just having champions around, not necessarily being older guys, having a champion around really means something," he said. "It gravitates to people. Not just me, there’s other guys in that room that have won a championship."
For players who haven’t experienced that moment yet, he believes having teammates who understand the journey matters.
"So just bringing that experience in the room, and when people ask, 'How does it feel?' we have that background to tell them and actually know what it takes to get to that level."
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