The Chicago Bears bought themselves more time with Jaylon Johnson, who was set to hit free agency this offseason.
They applied the franchise tag on March 5, giving them until July 15 to work out a long-term extension. But they likely never intended to use all or even most of that additional leeway, inking the one-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro to a new four-year, $76 million contract with $54.4 million guaranteed, per Bleacher Report?s Jordan Schultz.
Johnson, 24, logged career-highs with four interceptions and 55.2% completion in his coverage in 2023, per Pro Football Reference. He also deflected 10 passes, forced a fumble, recovered one, and scored his first career touchdown.
He shared a couple of posts about the news. One was Schultz?s initial report. The other was a video package from the NFL?s X handle.
The @ChicagoBears locked down their lockdown CB Jaylon Johnson ? @NBAxJay1 pic.twitter.com/X2eAmNF5rD
— NFL (@NFL) March 7, 2024
Schultz also made mention of some other notable aspects of the deal.
?$43.8M fully gtd at signing,? Schultz reported in a follow-up post on X, formerly Twitter on March 7. ?57.5% fully gtd percentage is 1st amongst CBs.
?28M first year cash is 2nd amongst cornerbacks.?
Jaylon Johnson the Latest Example of Bears GM Ryan Poles Locking Up Team?s Top Talent
“We’re extremely excited to be able to keep Jaylon here for the next four years,” Bears general manager Ryan Poles said, per ChicagoBears.com?s Kevin Mayer on March 7. “He’s an integral part of our defense and his leadership will help our team continue to ascend.”
Poles was optimistic a deal would get done even as Johnson requested a trade last season. He boldly stated during his season-ending presser that Johnson wouldn?t be going anywhere.
It?s just the latest example of Poles rewarding the team?s top and ascending talent.
The Bears have now made three huge investments at all three levels of the defense in the last calendar year:
?DE Montez Sweat: 4 years, $98M
?LB Tremaine Edmunds: 4 years, $72M
?CB Jaylon Johnson: 4 years, $76 million. https://t.co/yWVVxTxemp
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2024
?Bears went from dealing with Jaylon Johnson?s trade request at the deadline last season to reaching agreement with him on a four-year deal today,? ESPN?s Adam Schefter posted on X on March 7. ?Quite a change, and a testament to the time that was put in to salvage the situation.?
For what it?s worth, Johnson also maintained he and Poles had a solid relationship even after his trade request.
Next Order of Business for Bears
This is undoubtedly a major distraction cleared up. But the Bears? work this offseason is still only beginning. It?s already included reshuffling the roster, coaching staff, and some figures at Halas Hall. But they still have one giant elephant in the room: Justin Fields and the No. 1 pick.
The consensus has overwhelmingly gone towards Williams being the Bears pick in April, which would mean Fields? days in Chicago are numbered.
Bears Reschedule Meeting With Presumed No. 1 Overall Pick Caleb Williams: Report
There should still be some caution, though.
Until a deal goes down, anything can happen. There were many corners of the league that were positive the Bears would select Bryce Young last year only for the Bears to trade out of the No. 1 pick. It only took a few days after the combine for Poles to make his decision then.
The winds of change seem to be blowing much harder this time, though. And until there is a resolution, this remains the Bears? most pressing order of business.