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Chicago Bears defensive back CJ Gardner-Johnson complained about a penalty called on him in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night.
The Bears and 49ers were in the middle of an intense matchup. 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy took a snap from the Bears’ 7-yard line and threw the ball to Ricky Pearsall. Gardner-Johnson intercepted the pass in what would have been a crucial turnover.
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CJ Gardner-Johnson #35 of the Chicago Bears reacts after a play in the second quarter of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
However, Gardner-Johnson appeared to put his hands to Pearsall’s face at the snap. The penalty negated the turnover, and Purdy would score on a 3-yard run two plays later. The 49ers led 28-21 at halftime. San Francisco won the game 42-38.
“BS ring smh,” he wrote on X.
Gardner-Johnson finished with five tackles and a pass breakup in the loss.
The Purdy rushing touchdown was one of his five on the night. He had three passing touchdowns and two rushing scores.
49ERS HOLD OFF BEARS TO KEEP NO. 1 SEED HOPE IN ALIVE AS BROCK PURDY TOTAL 5 TOUCHDOWNS IN WIND
Chicago Bears linebacker TJ Edwards (53) is congratulated by teammates after returning an interception for a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
The Bears became the second team in the Super Bowl era to lose a regular-season game when they scored at least 25 points, had a defensive touchdown and did not turn the ball over.
“When you go against a dynamic offense like that, you talk about the options as an offense by leading them and at times we can answer that call,” Bears head coach Ben Johnson said. “They just ended up outplaying us.”
Purdy threw a pick six to TJ Edwards on the first drive of the game.
Fortunately, Chicago wrapped up an NFC North title on Saturday thanks to the Green Bay Packers’ loss to the Baltimore Ravens. It’s the first time the Bears have captured a division title since 2018. Chicago is making its first playoff appearance since 2020, when they went 8-8.
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The Bears have not won a playoff game since the 2010 season.
