The New Orleans Saints safety known as Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is pulling a Chad Johnson.

The second-year defensive back announced on Instagram he is changing his name to “Ceedy Duce,” via NOLA.com's Amie Just.

Duce started in seven of 16 games with the Saints last season, and showcased some of his versatile talents both in coverage and as a guy who can make plays in the backfield.

The 22-year-old had an interception and eight passes defended and also finished his rookie campaign with six tackles for a loss, four quarterback hits and a forced fumble.

Duce should be a pivotal member of the Saints' secondary.

New Orleans acquired Malcolm Jenkins to hold down the free safety spot and will hope the second-year Duce can be even more productive whenever he takes the field.

Marcus Williams might be the starter opposite Jenkins, but both the man formerly known as Gardner-Johnson and D.J. Swearinger provide much-needed depth for a secondary Pro Football Focus ranked as the seventh-best in football entering the 2020 season.

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JC Latham (Alabama), Chris Braswell (Alabama not Jaguars), Cornelieus Johnson (Michigan) in action behind a New Orleans Saints logo with a 2024 NFL Draft background.

Dylan Bruton ·

The Saints had a bit of a tumultuous offseason after the fallout from comments made by quarterback Drew Brees regarding kneeling during the national anthem as a form of protest. However, it seems the team has had internal conversations to educate Brees and get on the same page, meaning all systems are a go for this fall.

New Orleans should be regarded as one of the top teams in football, though the new-look Tampa Bay Buccaneers also figure to contend for the NFC South title.

The Saints will hope their depth in the secondary will result in one of the more balanced rosters in football.