The re-signing of this star free agent by the Chicago Bears and Ryan Poles could potentially result in a costly mistake.
In the 2020 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears made an unexpected selection that turned out to be a brilliant move. Jaylon Johnson, hailing from the University of Utah, was chosen as the 50th overall pick by the Bears. Since then, Johnson has become an integral part of the team's defense.
Despite not being known for his high interception count, Jaylon Johnson has emerged as one of the league's top cornerbacks, particularly in the past season, which was also his contract year. In 2023, Johnson further solidified his impressive resume by earning a Pro Bowl nod and a spot on the second-team All-Pro list.
As the season has concluded, it's now time for Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears to make what appears to be an obvious decision from an outsider's perspective: to secure Jaylon Johnson with a new contract. Failing to do so could be a significant mistake on Poles' part.
In an interview with NFL's Grant Gordon, Johnson provided insights that should capture the attention of Chicago Bears fans. He expressed his dedication to Chicago and his focus on securing a favorable contract, emphasizing his desire to find a mutually beneficial agreement.
While this could be seen as Johnson attempting to negotiate a better deal, it also serves as a clear message to the Chicago Bears, who might be underestimating their leverage in this situation.
Jaylon Johnson firmly believes he deserves top-tier compensation as a cornerback. Although interceptions may not be abundant in his stats, they don't reflect his performance on the field. Notably, Jaylon Johnson excelled in Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades last season, ranking first among all NFL cornerbacks with an impressive overall grade of 90.8. While PFF grades are not the sole determining factor, they do highlight his excellence in other aspects of his game.
Johnson's ability to shut down receivers effectively explains the scarcity of interceptions thrown his way by quarterbacks. They simply avoid targeting him altogether.
Ryan Poles has made it clear to fans that he intends to keep Jaylon Johnson on the Chicago Bears for years to come. However, until the deal is finalized, many Bears fans, including myself, will anxiously await the outcome.
| POLL | ||
5 FEVRIER | 92 ANSWERS The re-signing of this star free agent by the Chicago Bears and Ryan Poles could potentially result in a costly mistake. Will Ryan Poles Re-sign Jaylon Johnson? | ||
| Yes | 79 | 85.9 % |
| No | 13 | 14.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
