Chicago Bears free agent cornerback Jaylon Johnson is going get paid handsomely this offseason. Coming off his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro campaign, it’s only a matter of when, not if it will happen.
The only other question is whether or not the Bears and General Manager Ryan Poles will be the ones to pay him.
As far as Johnson is concerned, they had better.
“Heart’s definitely in Chicago, mind’s definitely on the money,” Johnson said, per NFL.com’s Grant Gordon on February 4. “So, I mean, we’ll figure out if we can make them both come together and get something done. I’m looking forward to see what’s to come.”
Bears CB Jaylon Johnson’s Mind is ‘Definitely on the Money’
Ryan Poles: Jaylon Johnson ‘Not Going Anywhere’
The Bears originally selected Johnson, 24, with the No. 50 overall pick in 2020. He finished this past season as Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded starting cornerback.
He snagged a career-high four interceptions, scoring on one, and adding one forced fumble.
“We have really good communication,” Poles said during his season-ending press conference on January 10. “The big thing was just kind of take a break here after this season, and then we’ll start talks again. I feel really good about that situation. Jaylon’s not going to go anywhere, and we’ll work through to get something done.”
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Bears Have Options to Keep Jaylon Johnson
A new contract for Johnson won’t be cheap. Spotrac projects his market value to come in around $15.7 million annually. But that amount would just nudge out Carlton Davis of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 10th most in the NFL.
That could lead to some contentious points in negotiations if Poles starts that low in his initial offer.
The Bears can also use the franchise tag.
That would cost the Bears $18.8 million, which would rank sixth in terms of annual value. But because it is a one-year pact, it does not offer the kind of security players in Johnson’s position often seek.
Cornerback a Position of Strength for Bears
The Bears aren’t exactly negotiating from a position of weakness. Johnson has rightfully declared himself among the game’s best, something opponents have done for some time, including New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
And the Bears should be able to pay him with the eighth-most cap space in the league this offseason.
But they have drafted well in preparation for this moment.
They drafted Kyler Gordon in 2022, and he has already flashed as a budding star inside. He has also noted a desire to move back outside if the situation permits it. The Bears drafted Tyrique Stevenson and Terell Smith last year, and both players flashed this season too.
Johnson entered the year carrying injury and playmaking concerns. He eliminated one of the latter, though he still has yet to play a full NFL season.
How this situation resolves itself remains one of the league’s biggest storylines.