Nobody ever expected that 2026 would be a year in which Jaylon Johnson fell off a cliff. Why should they? The cornerback is 27 years old, in his physical prime. He spent the entire offseason healthy. Everything pointed to him having a bounce-back year after an injury-marred 2025. Instead, this season has been one catastrophic breakdown after another. That Pro Bowl player fans were used to seeing has been nowhere to be found. In his place is what looks like a burned-out husk wearing his jersey number.
Thursday night against the New England Patriots was more of the same. While Johnson didn’t suffer any baffling lapses in coverage as he did in previous weeks, it didn’t save him from criticism. Instead of being accused of losing a step, he was pelted with accusations of lacking focus and discipline. Two distinct plays stood out during the game, both of which gave Johnson clear opportunities to make a crucial tackle. In both instances, he badly whiffed, looking out of position and even a little disinterested.
Jaylon Johnson isn’t doing his future in Chicago any favors.
Don’t forget, he made his priorities pretty clear in the summer. When asked about his goals for 2026, it wasn’t winning a championship. It was getting that second contract extension. His focus was on getting another payday. Nobody thought much of it at the time. However, in hindsight, that looks like a major red flag. That Johnson’s head might not have been in the right place. It’s pretty clear he isn’t playing with the same discipline and edge he had a couple of years ago.
That is pretty bad timing, considering the guarantees in his contract are all but gone. That means next offseason the Chicago Bears are free to cut him with little consequence. Such a move would net them $16 million. He has no interceptions this season and only two pass deflections. This isn’t from a lack of times being targeted either. Opponents have gone at him frequently. He just isn’t making plays. That might explain why Bears scouts have started popping up at games that are heavy with 2027 cornerback prospects lately.
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Indiana vs. Michigan was the latest, featuring three projected draft selections.
The Bears have made their stance pretty clear.
They weren’t afraid to move on from Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker last season despite both playing pretty well. There is no reason to think Jaylon Johnson will be safe. Byard had 7 interceptions and was allowed to leave anyway. Johnson has no such argument working in his favor. The Bears already know they can find quality cornerback talent. Rookie Malik Muhammad was a 4th round scoop for them. They won’t blink about resetting at that spot if they think Johnson is a spent commodity.
It is just sad things have reached this point. It would be one thing if Johnson were in his 30s. At least then you could understand why his ability has tapered off. To see it happening while still in his prime is disappointing. Yet this is football. The cliff can sneak up on you with frightening speed.
