The Chicago Bears are just days away from reporting for their first training camp under new head coach Ben Johnson and his staff, and many players, like cornerback Jaylon Johnson, are expected to benefit.
Johnson is heading into his sixth season with the organization and fifth defensive coordinator (sixth including former head coach Matt Eberflus) with Dennis Allen.
That change should unlock an underutilized strength of Johnson’s for the Bears.
Bears CB Jaylon Johnson Expected to Benefit From Coaching Change
Bears DC Dennis Allen Could Unlock Jaylon Johnson
Johnson, a two-time Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro in 2023, ranked eighth in ESPN’s sixth-annual poll of the top 10 players at every position. An anonymous NFL coordinator said that Johnson had “really good zone awareness,” was “sticky” in coverage, and had a “versatile skill set.”
However, he was limited by the previous defensive scheme.
“Johnson was one of the most consistent corners over the past two years with a combined six interceptions and 18 pass deflections. His ball production dipped slightly in 2024, but he was more disruptive around the line of scrimmage with seven tackles for loss,” Fowler wrote on July 17. On 53 targets, Johnson allowed 32 receptions for 448 yards and two touchdowns with a 15.1% ball-hawking rate. In 2023, that rate was better at 17.5%, during which he gave up 162 less yards (286 total). It is worth noting that the Bears, as a team, were a mess last season, which can affect corner play.
“Johnson frequently played Cover 2 under former Bears coach Matt Eberflus, but he should get more man-coverage opportunities under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.”
The coordinator believes the change will be “good” for Johnson, who has the IQ to make it work.
This was Johnson’s second straight appearance on the list, both times at eighth place. Johnson is the first Bears cornerback to make the list since Kyle Fuller in 2020, the list’s first year in existence.
Fuller was an honorable mention ahead of the 2020 regular season, which was his final in a Bears uniform.
Johnson is entering Year 2 of a four-year, $72 million contract with the Bears.
Multiple Bears Named in Preseason Polls
Johnson is the third Bears player to rank in this year’s list, which included input from 70 anonymous coaches, front office members, and scouts from around the league.
Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and left guard Joe Thuney both ranked. Running back D’Andre Swift and tight end Cole Kmet were honorable mentions. Center Drew Dalman, linebacker T.J. Edwards, and wide receiver DJ Moore were all in the “also receiving votes” category.
Time will tell if that is enough star power for the Bears to be contenders in 2025.
