C.J. Gardner-Johnson knows exactly how to lock down critics, be it through clapping back at trash talkers on the field or going unfiltered on social media. After a versatile 2025–26 campaign split between the Houston Texans and the Chicago Bears, he signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Buffalo Bills on March 12, 2026.
The Super Bowl 59 champion is known for bringing high energy wherever he goes, but right now, he’s bringing it to social media to defend his former Bears teammate.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson Takes Issue With Boosie Dissing Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams, who set the franchise record with 3,942 passing yards last season, was recently announced as the cover athlete of EA Sports Madden NFL 27, becoming the first player in his team’s history to do so. On the Deluxe Edition cover, the 2024 No. 1 overall is doing his famous “Iceman” celebration while proudly showcasing a custom manicured nail set featuring the logos of the Bears, NFL, and EA Sports.
But this bold statement didn’t sit right with Rapper Boosie Badazz, who took to Instagram to publicly criticize the Bears’ quarterback.
“FINGERNAILS PAINTED ON MADDEN. YOUNG BOYS LOOK UP TO YOU BRO SMH N THIS IS THE EXAMPLE U SET FOR THEM,” wrote Boosie. “U WANT RESPECT FROM YOUR TEAMMATES N YOUR HANDS LOOK LIKE THEY B***H NAILS AT HOME SMH WHO EVER THOUGHT U WOULD SEE THIS ON A MADDEN COVER. I FEEL SORRY FOR THESE KIDS.”
Taking to X, former Bears’ safety Gardner-Johnson quickly defended William and shut down the rapper’s comments with a blunt reality check. He wrote, “Selling more than music I bet.”
Selling more than music I bet 🤷🏾♂️ https://t.co/HulMa116FH
— C.J. Gardner-Johnson (@CGJXXIII) June 4, 2026
In an interview with PEOPLE, Williams called his signature identity “freeing.” He shared that this tradition began in high school and grew from a special bond with his mother, a nail technician.
“I like to do those nails in big moments,” Williams explained exclusively to PEOPLE. “I try and save them for big moments because if I do them all year round, I run out of ideas.”
Discussing his mother, the 24-year-old added, “She’s been a part of it… she’s been a reason for it. I think being able to share that moment with her, being able to let her know that I hope that she’s raised a young, confident man in himself, I think that will bring a lot of joy to her. Actually, I will ask her here soon.”
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With a 2025 NFL Moment of the Year award and a rookie record of 354 consecutive passes without an interception in 2024, Williams continues to cement himself as one of the best in the league.
Meanwhile, Gardner-Johnson is ready to bring his elite versatility and ball-hawking ability to the Bills’ secondary this coming season under defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard.
