The 2022 season has been one to forget for the Chicago Bears defense. They came in with optimism. Despite losing multiple leaders like Khalil Mack, Danny Trevathan, and Akiem Hicks, it was still felt they had enough veteran talent to still be respectable. Then Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith were traded. After that, the injuries began. Eddie Jackson was lost for the year to a foot injury. Jack Sanborn is done as well, thanks to an ankle problem. Now their last remaining proven player is bidding farewell to 2022.
Jaylon Johnson exited the loss to Philadelphia with rib and finger injuries. The cornerback spent the week trying to see if he could battle through them and keep playing. Clearly, he and the Bears training staff didn’t like the results. Rather than push him, the team made the sensible decision to shut Johnson down for the year. He will go on Injured Reserve along with fellow cornerback Kindle Vildor. It’s an unfortunate end to what had been a strong season for the third-year player.
The Chicago Bears defense needs major reinforcements.
They were already undermanned before the season began. Their only source of strength left was the secondary. Now even that has fallen apart with Johnson and Jackson out of the picture. It shows how much work needs to be done for this unit to regain its place among the NFL’s best. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus will focus significant resources on upgrading every level, particularly the defensive line. Hopefully, the training staff will be able to help prevent some of these injuries in the future.
This development also complicates things for Johnson. He enters the final year of his rookie contract in 2023. It isn’t a secret he is seeking an extension. Don’t forget this regime didn’t draft him. His inability to finish the season and failure to record a single interception isn’t likely to do him any favors in negotiations. If he tries to play hardball like Smith did, perhaps the Chicago Bears defense will move on from him as well. Poles isn’t afraid of making such decisions. It will be a fascinating narrative to watch.
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I think some posters may want to consider the idea that his injuries are enough to allow them to sit him for the last few games. It is not acceptable for losing teams to openly sit players – there has to be an attempt to provide a reasonable product for the audience. In this case, we have a good player who is beat up a bit more than usual for late in the season. With his injuries, he won’t be enough to really change things on the field so why risk him. He will be back next year, barring foolish… Read more »
I hope the Bears and Johnson can reach an agreement on an extension. He is the closest thing the Bears have to a shutdown corner.
In spite of the lack of interceptions. The fact is teams don’t always throw his direction and focus on the other side. I would like to see him get more INT.
GO BEARS!
I am so tired of the this regime didn’t draft him crap. This regime drafted 11 players, so yea, the veterans on the team weren’t drafted by this regime. An idiot can figure that out. If Poles didn’t like a single player on the roster why would he take the job? He could have went to a different team that had a first round pick to start a rebuild. In September there were a few articles on here saying the same thing about Fields. Poles isn’t going to get rid of everyone.
No GM likes extending corners that can’t finish seasons and don’t get turnovers. Johnson is a nice player but he’s not getting it done. No picks and can’t stay healthy?? No deal. Let someone else over pay for “potential”.
At this point I almost want Khalil Herbert to not even play this year and risk some injury in the final 3 meaningless games.