No player has been more disappointing for the Chicago Bears in 2026 than cornerback Jaylon Johnson. Still, the tide may finally be turning after his Week 9 performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Johnson entered the game with heavy criticism after his recent performance. He allowed a completion percentage of over 70% and a passer rating of 129. Many believed that he was starting to lose his touch at the position.
No one needed to redeem themselves more in a game than Johnson did in order to save his career in Chicago. Against the Buccaneers, he came up big with the most critical play of the contest, one that might have saved them from a potential loss.
Jaylon Johnson turns the clock back in Bears' win over the Buccaneers
This was by a mile Johnson's best game of the season in coverage. After weeks of struggles with deep passes and easy completions, he played the Buccaneers' receivers tight. He got beat on maybe one play, but otherwise Johnson was a shutdown corner.
During the game, Johnson was targeted five times in coverage. Out of those five, only one pass was caught for six yards, for a 20% completion percentage.
Johnson had the biggest play of the game, though, in the third quarter, right after Caleb Williams threw his fourth interception. With the Buccaneers in Bears territory, Johnson picked off Tampa Bay QB Baker Mayfield and returned it 67 yards for a touchdown to give Chicago a two-possession lead.
It was a turning point the Bears desperately needed. The Johnson of the first eight games couldn't have made a play like that, but it was a vintage moment for him.
Johnson finished the game with three tackles, one pass deflection, one interception, and one touchdown, helping the Bears secure a 27-24 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football.
Pro Football Focus liked what they saw from Johnson and rewarded him with his highest grade of the season. He earned a 79.2 overall grade, the fifth-highest among defensive players in the game.
This was the crowning moment for a veteran cornerback who has struggled all season.
Bears might have their CB1 back after Jaylon Johnson's performance
What a night it was for Johnson, who struggled with consistency and putting together a good performance. It was the kind of game Bears fans have been dying to see over the last two months.
Everyone was reminded that Johnson was that same Pro Bowler from 2023 and 2024. Last year was a wash since he was dealing with his soft-tissue injury, which seemed to affect his performance. Bears fans couldn't tell whether it was psychological or physical.
The question now is whether he can continue to be that guy and play at a high level. His play against the Buccaneers shows that Johnson isn't a complete lost cause and can still be a great player in this league.
Chicago could try to help Johnson out a bit in the secondary, with adding some help. The Bears could be in play for trading for a cornerback before the deadline arrives. They might even bring an old friend back with cornerback Nahshon Wright.
This Bears team is poised for a Super Bowl title, but there is one key factor to that: Jaylon Johnson. Can Chicago keep getting vintage performances from Johnson in coverage and have their CB1 officially back?
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For now, Johnson has redeemed himself from a very tough first half of the season. This performance feels like the turning point that he needed to get his career back on track and prove that he's still a CB1 in the NFL.
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