Playing for a truly great defense is something cornerback Jaylon Johnson has yet to truly experience. He arrived too late in the wake of the 2018 group that dominated the NFL. The past three years saw the Chicago Bears finish 14th, 22nd, and 32nd in points allowed. Johnson was one of the few bright spots during that time. No doubt he’s hoping 2023 can be different after years of disappointment. He’s well aware of the high standard fans place on the defense. Understandably so. It comes from decades of excellence.
Expectations for this season are elevated but still not overly high. That is a consequence of being arguably the worst defense in football the year before. Johnson has newfound confidence in the unit after what he’s witnessed in training camp. Much of it stems from the array of new players GM Ryan Poles acquired. DeMarcus Walker, Yannick Ngakoue, Andrew Billings, and Tyrique Stevenson all stand out. However, the two names that have Johnson the most excited are linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards. They’ve completely changed the standard for the Bears defense.
He explained why to Brian Baldinger of NFL Network.
Jaylon Johnson understands what those two bring.
First and foremost is their natural ability. Edmunds is a two-time Pro Bowler with 6’5 size and 4.4 speed. It’s almost impossible to throw around him in coverage because of this. Edwards showcased his speed and instincts for years, constantly creating headaches for offenses thanks to his versatility. Yet their biggest asset is a long track record of playing for winning organizations. Edmunds came from Buffalo, which made the playoffs four-straight seasons during his time there. Edwards came from Philadelphia, who made the playoffs three of his four years and reached the Super Bowl in 2022.
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They have a certain level of expectation when it comes to success. It’s about winning. That is the only standard that matters. Jaylon Johnson believes this is a massive boon for a suddenly very young and impressionable defense. Guys like Jaquan Brisker, Kyler Gordon, Stevenson, Gervon Dexter, Dominique Robinson, and Zacch Pickens can learn so much from how they operate. Think of what Ted Washington and Keith Traylor did for the team back in 2001. It could be that kind of instant impact.
