Bears Rumors: 3 players team must keep at trade deadline

2. Jaylon Johnson, CB

Maybe the most talked-about trade candidate in Chicago is cornerback Jaylon Johnson. Before the season, there was much made about his contract situation. As he's in the last year of his rookie deal, Johnson expressed his desire for a new contract, and rightfully so.

If anything, this season has proved he deserves one. Through six weeks, Johnson has played the best overall football of his career. At the moment, he is graded as Pro Football Focus' 10th overall cornerback in the NFL.

If the Bears trade Johnson, then they immediately have another hole to fill. Right now, with Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson and Terell Smith, they have two solid starters for the future and a great backup candidate. Chicago already has some big issues they're going to need to fix, and creating yet another one would be foolish.

Getting an extension done for Johnson should be priority. The Bears have the money to do it. They have future assets in draft capital. They don't need to sacrifice a good player for one more pick, when this player is already established and one they can build upon for years to come.