Hot head. Malcontent. Savior?

Defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson found himself sitting at home, an NFL pariah and so-called locker room problem, before the Chicago Bears signed him two weeks ago to plug into an injury-ravaged secondary .

Gardner-Johnson had two sacks Sunday against the New York Giants, but it was his third-quarter forced fumble by quarterback Jaxson Dart, recovered by cornerback Nahshon Wright, that proved to be a game-changer during the Bears’ 24-20 comeback victory at Soldier Field.

The player who was given his walking papers by two teams this season — the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens — was given a game ball by the Bears.

“It’s just a blessing to be here,” Gardner-Johnson said. “I was home for a month and a half. The narratives and scrutiny.

“But when

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