It's safe to assume most Chicago Bears fans are reaching their breaking point with cornerback Jaylon Johnson's struggles through the first eight games of the season. That has made him a name Bears fans wouldn't mind trading for the right price...to most NFL teams.
Johnson was a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback in 2023 and 2024, but something changed last year when he suffered a soft-tissue injury. Since then, things haven't been the same for him, and he's struggled to be the player he once was.
A trade involving Johnson may not be the worst idea for Bears general manager Ryan Poles. Poles just needs to make sure he doesn't send Johnson to the wrong team.
A Jaylon Johnson trade could make sense for the Bears at the right cost
Chicago is pretty much over what Johnson has been doing and could be willing to move on from him. The numbers back up that he is having the worst season of his career, and it's not particularly close.
In eight games, Johnson has racked up 24 tackles, two pass deflections, two tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. He has allowed a completion percentage of 73.7 and a passer rating of 124.3.
Pro Football Focus grades him at 38.1, ranking him 97th out of 102 eligible cornerbacks. He also got a coverage grade of 32.1 (ranked 99th) and a run-defense grade of 71.3 (ranked 31st).
Poles is reportedly looking at adding a cornerback before the trade deadline to help them out. Former Bears and current New York Jets cornerback Nahshon Wright has been a top name in trade rumors to Chicago. Tennessee Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor is another name attached to the Bears as well.
If the Bears bring in a cornerback in a trade, that could open the door for Johnson to ship Johnson off elsewhere. Some teams would make sense to send Johnson to, since they need a cornerback. One team that could use a cornerback that the Bears need to make sure not to make a deal with: the Detroit Lions.
Ryan Poles better not trade Jaylon Johnson to the Detroit Lions
The Lions have every reason to pursue Johnson in a trade, since they have addressed their secondary issues.
They have played the season without Avonte Maddox, who is on IR. Detroit also has secondary injuries, including D.J. Reed (hip) and Rock Ya-Sin (cramps).
Entering Week 9, the Lions' pass defense is ranked dead last, allowing 276.6 yards per game. That is roughly 18 more yards per game than the Titans, who are ranked 31st.
Detroit could absolutely use Johnson's help in their secondary, but the Bears would be crazy to let that happen, no matter how much he is struggling. Chicago should accept an offer only if the Lions are offering a first- or second-round pick (which clearly won't happen).
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While Bears fans wouldn't mind seeing Johnson get traded, the Lions would be the last place they would want him to go. If no good offers come through for him, it's better to just keep him and hope he can improve.
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