The Chicago Bears are off to a 3-1 start this season. As good as they could’ve asked for. Yes, it hasn’t always been pretty but winning is winning. Per usual, it’s the defense steering the ship, ranking top 10 in both points and yards allowed. The usual suspects are responsible for this from Akiem Hicks to Khalil Mack, Eddie Jackson, Kyle Fuller, and Roquan Smith. By far the biggest surprise though has to be Jaylon Johnson.
The Bears grabbed the cornerback out of Utah with their 50th pick in the 2nd round of the draft back in April. At the time, several experts were excited about it. They felt Johnson was landing in the perfect situation. A talented veteran cast around him with a defensive coordinator in Chuck Pagano who’d know exactly how to use him.
Results have exceeded expectations. Through four games he’s allowed just 12 completions on 29 targets for a 63.7 passer rating. That includes seven pass defenses. One of which led to an interception. It’s of little surprise NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah ranks him as the 12th-best rookie in the league.
“Johnson’s been the best rookie corner through the first quarter of the season. He has outstanding instincts and toughness.”
Jaylon Johnson making it look easy.
Matched No. 14 step by step. pic.twitter.com/dm0Ut9yp2S
— Bears Film Room (@BearsFilmRoom) October 7, 2020
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Is Jaylon Johnson secretly the #Bears current CB1? With press technique like this, he just might be. Pascal gets -1 yards of separation on this key 3rd down throw pic.twitter.com/SG1Z4Nhd2K
— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) October 7, 2020
Johnson is proving doubters wrong and Chicago Bears right
One thing that Johnson made crystal clear from the beginning was he didn’t think he should’ve fallen to #50. He felt like he was the best cornerback in the draft. That wasn’t just bluster. The words came across like he genuinely believed them. He should’ve been a 1st round pick. Instead, six other corners went ahead of him. The only one to even make Jeremiah’s list was C.J. Henderson, and he was 20th.
Jeff Okudah, the #3 overall pick in the draft, didn’t even get an honorable mention. That is probably some poetic justice for Johnson. A reminder that the draft has been and always will be a flawed process. The Bears are certainly grateful for that. It allowed them to secure what appears to be a future Pro Bowler at a discount price.
