Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears had a plan for this off-season, and one of the top priorities was re-signing Jaylon Johnson.
At the NFL combine, Ryan Poles was asked every question imaginable, and Jaylon Johnson was a topic of discussion. Poles remained optimistic, and now Bears fans know why.
Jaylon Johnson and Chicago Bears reach agreement on 4-year, $76-million contract extension
Last season, Johnson was able to turn his talent into visible production. Going into the 2023 season, Jaylon Johnson had a single interception to his name.
In Eberflus' H.I.T.S. principles, the T is for turnovers. And in the 2023 season, Jaylon Johnson earned his T. Johnson ended the season with four interceptions and a forced fumble, which was crucial in showing his worth to a head coach and general manager who didn't initially draft him.
Not only is this a team-friendly deal, but it's beneficial for Jaylon Johnson, too. Considering how cold of a business the NFL can be, it's good practice when both sides can genuinely look in the mirror, happy with the deal they agreed to.
Johnson has to continue with his play, of course, but this is a major win across the board. For the Chicago Bears, however, there are a few main reasons it's a win for the team itself.
Chicago Bears Win No. 1: Jaylon Johnson earns $19-million AAV, lower than projected
When the debate on Jaylon Johnson's future status with the Bears was questionable, the amount of money Johnson was requesting was top-cornerback money. Per Spotrac, the highest AAV (Average Annual Value) in the league at the cornerback position is $ 21 million for Green Bay's Jaire Alexander.
Cornerback | 2024 AAV |
|---|---|
(1) Jaire Alexander (GB) | $21,000,000 |
(2) Denzel Ward (CLE) | $20,100,000 |
(3) L'Jarius Sneed (KC/UFA*) | $19,802,000 (franchise tag) |
(4) Marshon Lattimore (NO) | $19,520,600 |
(5) Marlon Humphrey (BAL) | $19,500,000 |
(6) Trevon Diggs (DAL) | $19,400,000 |
(7) Jaylon Johnson (CHI) | $19,000,000 |
(8) Jalen Ramsey (MIA) | $18,333,333 |
As it stands, Johnson's AAV is sandwiched between Jalen Ramsey and Trevon Diggs, and considering the talent Jaylon Johnson brings to the Chicago Bears' defense, this contract is team-friendly. The Bears are getting a top cornerback for the price of a top 7 cornerback, annually.
Johnson could've probably been offered approximately $20 million or more to play somewhere else. Instead, Jaylon Johnson stays in Chicago with the Bears.
Even before there were interceptions in Jaylon Johnon's resume, there wasn't a question that he was the Bears' best cornerback. His lack of production was in part due to the fact that opposing quarterbacks could just, quite literally, throw at the other defenders. Now that the Bears have spent significant draft capital on the secondary in Kyler Gordon, Jaquon Brisker, and Tyrique Stevenson, it's harder for opposing quarterbacks to avoid Jaylon Johnson.
To bring back one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL on a team-friendly deal is one of the biggest winning factors of re-signing Johnson.
Chicago Bears Win No. 2: Bears defense is young, talented, and paid-for
With Jaylon Johnson now on the book until he's 28 years old, the Chicago Bears' secondary— outside of Eddie Jackson's replacement— doesn't have to be worried about, financially, for a while.
Though there are certainly holes in other areas of the Bears' roster, secondary isn't one of them. Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker don't need to re-sign until 2026, and Tyrique Stevenson isn't due until 2027.
The #Bears are good 𝙖𝙣𝙙 young in the secondary:
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) March 7, 2024
CB Jaylon Johnson
CB Kyler Gordon
SS Jaquan Brisker
CB Tyrique Stevenson
Everyone in this group is 24 or younger right now. pic.twitter.com/hupA3357MD
As far as areas of the team the Bears are now strongest at, the defensive secondary probably takes the cake. Tyrique Stevenson had a promising rookie season, Kyler Gordon built off a strong end-of-the-season last year, and Jaquan Brisker was making big plays at the end of the season.
The Bears have areas of need, but thanks to Jaylon Johnson re-signing, their secondary is no longer in that area of need.
Now, if only the Chicago Bears could add some talent in free agency, this team could truly be competitive— not only in the NFC North but in the entire league.
Chicago Bears Win No. 3: Re-signing was done so at the perfect time for free agency
With approximately a week until the NFL new league year begins on March 13 at 4 p.m. ET, this was the perfect time for the Chicago Bears to re-sign Jaylon Johnson.
Each free agent has something different that influences them to join a new team, and one of those reasons is to play with the talent surrounding said player. Now, that's not to say the Chicago Bears are filled to the brim with talent, but on the defensive side of the ball, that claim isn't completely out there.
For free agents like Justin Simmons or Xavier McKinney, however, it's not outlandish to say they would be surrounded by talent. Not only are they surrounded by talent, but they're surrounded by talent that isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Given the human aspect of free agency, packing up and moving life to another state, especially with spouses or even families attached, is a big deal. Job security goes a long way in this industry, so knowing those surrounding you are locked-in for a few years gives a level of peace to free agent safeties eyeing the Chicago Bears as a potential landing spot.
The signing of Jaylon Johnson a week before free agency begins gives the Bears a chance to make some strong pitches to players they could be targeting. Had the Bears taken, say, five more days, to get this deal done, free agents are already fielding different offers. The Bears would likely be playing catch-up, and ultimately either over-pay or miss out completely.
This was a perfect time for the Bears to get a deal done, and it's a win for both parties.