Jaylon Johnson's strong desire to remain with the Bears should simplify Ryan Poles' next move.
Jaylon Johnson and the Bears have encountered difficulties in reaching a consensus on a long-term contract extension. This impasse prompted Johnson to request permission to explore a trade before the deadline, although no deal materialized as Bears' GM Ryan Poles stood firm on his asking price for the 24-year-old standout cornerback.
Poles stated, "I don't want to lose Jaylon Johnson. If I were to lose Jaylon Johnson, I would like to have a high percentage of hitting on another Jaylon Johnson, which, to me, is a late first and early second-round pick. It's really that simple. We are still open to getting a contract done."
Following the unsuccessful trade request, Johnson expressed his willingness to play out the remainder of the season and consider testing the free-agent market, acknowledging the possibility of being franchise-tagged by the Bears.
In the weeks that followed, Johnson consistently emphasized his focus on earning an All-Pro selection and helping the Bears secure a playoff berth, with contract negotiations taking a backseat.
However, Johnson clarified at Halas Hall on Wednesday that putting talks on hold did not signify a desire to leave the team. The Bears' defense has performed at a near-elite level in recent weeks, with Montez Sweat's arrival and the emergence of a talented, youthful secondary led by Johnson playing pivotal roles.
The 24-year-old cornerback believes that the Bears are heading in the right direction and would be content to sign a deal with the team before free agency begins, provided the terms are favorable. He feels a strong attachment to the organization and is convinced that it's the best place for him.
"I mean, it's all I know, honestly," Johnson remarked when asked why he wishes to stay with the Bears. "I just couldn't see myself anywhere else. It's easy to say you want to leave somewhere until you do, and then you might realize, 'This may not be what I want.' But for me, I want to stay here. I want to avoid making that transition now. I believe we're building something special, especially with the guys in the locker room. I don't think I can find that anywhere else. I'd like to stay, continue to build, make things better, and win some games, make a playoff push with the Chicago name."
Johnson took a gamble this season by not agreeing to an extension below his perceived value, and it has paid off handsomely as he has emerged as one of the premier cover corners in the NFL.
According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson ranks first in passer rating allowed (30.9), first in yards allowed (185), first in yards per reception (8.0), second in receptions allowed (23), and third in reception percentage (48.9 percent) among cornerbacks with at least 400 coverage snaps.
With Johnson's outstanding performance, he believes he has bolstered his market value. As negotiations with the Bears resume, Johnson's worth is likely to play a significant role.
Securing Johnson's future should be an uncomplicated decision for Poles in an offseason that could see substantial changes. The Bears' defense has demonstrated its elite potential recently, and maintaining a strong secondary is crucial. Johnson is a rising star who wants to be part of Chicago's solution, and his performance suggests that his prime years should unfold in a Bears uniform. There's every reason to believe that he belongs in Chicago.
| POLL | ||
21 DECEMBRE | 28 ANSWERS Jaylon Johnson's strong desire to remain with the Bears should simplify Ryan Poles' next move. Is Jaylon Johnson a top-10 CB in the game? | ||
| yes | 21 | 75 % |
| no | 7 | 25 % |
| List of polls | ||
