Cincinnati Bengals fans are a little restless, which is understandable given the team’s relative inaction during the flurry of early free-agency moves around the league.
The man who seems to be atop almost everyone’s wishlist, though, is Philadelphia Eagles safety C. J. Gardner-Johnson.
CJGJ, one of the best safeties still available, looks like an ideal replacement for Vonn Bell as the team gets ready to start sophomore first-rounder Dax Hill in place of Jessie Bates next season.
Part of the hype has been CJGJ himself interacting with tweets that show him photoshopped into Bengals jerseys and seeming to like the idea.
Here’s a look at some of the major hype between CJGJ and Bengals fans — it hasn’t hit La’el Collins levels yet, but it might just get there.
@CGJXXIII YO!! It’s smooth out here in Cincy 🤷🏾♂️
— Mike Hilton (@MikeHilton_28) March 13, 2023
It's a great day to get CJ Gardner-Johnson in a #Bengals uniform. That #3 jersey is waiting 🐅
(@CGJXXIII x @Haugh_Edits) pic.twitter.com/uMCGthWjpb
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) March 15, 2023
Howie Roseman calling CJ Gardner-Johnson to delete his Bengals tweets because the Eagles are clearing money for him pic.twitter.com/lJsn4cPtAH
— PhillyBirdsCountry (@BirdsCountry) March 15, 2023
CJ Gardner-Johnson deleted his RT on the edit of him in an Eagles #3 jersey.. but the Bengals one is still up. 😬 pic.twitter.com/TkvoZODSeq
— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) March 15, 2023
It looks like @CGJXXIII is at the very least teasing something here by quote-tweeting both Mike Hilton and Zach Carter…
Signing CJ Gardner-Johnson could help ease the sting of losing Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell. #Bengals #FreeAgency pic.twitter.com/SJPVt1HKHa
— Erik (@egveitikkje) March 13, 2023
Is C.J. Gardner-Johnson just messing with #Bengals fans? Because if so, this is the least fun game ever.
— Stripe Hype (@StripeHype) March 14, 2023
CJ Gardner-Johnson is a bengal today
— Not Jake 🥷🏻 (@CincyHub) March 13, 2023
jamaal williams
cj gardner johnsonboth bengals.
— avery (@JaMarrJungle) March 14, 2023
CJ Gardner Johnson…
This year’s Golladey when it comes to #Bengals FA. 🤣
The Bengals won’t give anyone guaranteed cash & he will get it somewhere. Don’t stress yourselves out fellas
— Nati Sports (@Nati_Sports) March 15, 2023
I get the feeling Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and Jamaal Williams are going to be Bengals. 😎🐅 pic.twitter.com/WrC30yxG0z
— Graham and a Half (@GrahamAndAHalf) March 15, 2023
CJ Gardner-Johnson is a beast. My kind of safety. Young player – #Bengals should sign him to a 4-5 year contract. Get it done.
— Chief Panthera Tigris (@EyeoftheBengals) March 15, 2023
Bengals signing Gardner-Johnson would make me feel pretty good. I would then pivot to putting the best OL in front of Burrow.
— Perc Nowitzki (@Young_Yolaaaa) March 13, 2023
CJ Gardner-Johnson teasing Bengals fans…again. Getting my hopes up! #WHODEY
— Brett Kearney (@Kearney141414) March 14, 2023
If the Bengals sign Gardner-Johnson, that would absolutely be huge for this defense. He is a playmaker at the safety position.
— Tim Egnor (@WVBengals73) March 13, 2023
I am with you Coach. Gardner-Johnson projected AAV is $12.5 million. Taylor Rapp is $7.5 million per year. That could be $5 million along with not touching the 3rd round comp. selection for arguably the better player.
— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) March 15, 2023
If the Bengals walk out of this C. J. Gardner-Johnson and Julian Love to replace Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell that might actually be an upgrade.
— ᴍᴀᴛȾʜᴇᴡ (@Lawless_1) March 14, 2023
i need cj gardner johnson to be a bengal more than i need oxygen
— avery (@JaMarrJungle) March 13, 2023
CJ GARDNER JOHNSON YOU ARE A CINCINNATI BENGAL
— Wain🐝 (@JoeyBFutureMVP) March 13, 2023
Please @Bengals pick up @bigplay24slay and Gardner Johnson!
— Burke (@dw_report) March 15, 2023
