Chicago Bears: 5 players with the most to prove in 2021 season
By Ryan Heckman
Chicago Bears with the most to prove in 2021: Jaylon Johnson
As a second-year player, Jaylon Johnson will be counted upon as though he is a four or five-year veteran. He’s stepping into some huge shoes, attempting to fill in for All-Pro Kyle Fuller. Fuller truly developed into one of the league’s best man corners, and Johnson wasn’t far behind him in 2020.
In his rookie year, Johnson was Pro Football Focus’ second-highest graded outside corner in man coverage. That’s a big compliment to a kid who was passed up in the first round and fell all the way to the middle of the second.
If fans were being honest, they would tell you that cornerback is still a big concern. Johnson has had injury woes in the past, and so has his new starting mate, Desmond Trufant. If either one of these guys go down, the Bears are in a tough spot. The depth behind both Johnson and Trufant is not great, therefore the pressure will be on both of them.
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But, the greatest pressure is on Johnson. His magnificent rookie season will be tough to match, but the Bears need him to do it — and then some.