Bears’ Jaquan Brisker Sends Strong Message on Jaylon Johnson

Bears Brisker Johnson

In just one afternoon, Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson tripled his career interception total, notching a pair in the Week 7 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Johnson returned one of the picks 39 yards for a touchdown.

“3 3 had 2 picks,” Jaquan Brisker posted on X after the game. “Stop playing with that MAN!!!”

Bears’ Jaquan Brisker: ‘Stop Playing’ With Jaylon Johnson

Johnson, 24, is in the final year of his rookie contract. It has not happened yet, but he made it clear he is ready to discuss a new contract with the Bears’ front office.

“I been wanting to get to the table,” Johnson said in the locker room after the game. “At the end of the day, I know who I am. I know I can play this game at a high level, and I feel like I deserve to be paid like that too. I’m taking that attitude for any team, for everybody in the NFL. If it’s with the Bears then I’ll do that. If it’s with anybody else, for sure, I feel like one of those guys that can be paid at a high level.”

Chicago could always apply the franchise or transition tags to Johnson after this season. The former would guarantee some draft compensation should the player be dealt away while, when given the transition tag, players are free to negotiate with other teams.

Bears general manager Ryan Poles said he wanted to keep Johnson “here for a while” in July.

Of all the players to start at least 40 games and face 218 targets since 2020, Johnson ranks 10th in completion percentage allowed, per Stathead.

Jaylon Johnson Acknowledged Potential Trade

The NFL’s trade deadline is on October 31, giving teams just over one week to finalize any wheeling and dealing they may want to do before next offseason. In that, and with the Bears struggling to start the season, Johnson’s name has come up in trade speculation.

He acknowledged that the idea of being traded had crossed his mind. But ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler suggests that worry may be unnecessary.

“The Bears have not made calls on corner Jaylon Johnson, who is on teams’ radars as a talented player in a contract year,” Fowler wrote on October 20. “He would garner strong interest if available, but my sense is the Bears have very little interest in making him so. Quality corners are hard to find, and Chicago has to figure out ways to win games.”

At any rate, Brisker had his teammate’s back.

“It’s super sad how they do people like that,” Brisker said after practice last week. “It shouldn’t even be a mention. We should be taking care of players like that. It should be about loyalty, especially if they’re making plays for your team.”

Teams That Could Come Calling

Fowler noted that the teams he spoke to mentioned the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers as two teams to keep an eye on ahead of the deadline. Both figure to need help in the secondary and, specifically, at cornerback.

However, Fowler does note the Niners could seek help in the slot. Johnson is and has been a perimeter corner.