Paris Johnson Jr. established himself as arguably the best offensive tackle in the 2023 draft class. It’s not hard to see why. He’s 6’7 with 36-inch arms and has the mobility of a tight end despite weighing well over 300 lbs. Guys with his skillset don’t grow on trees. He was dominant down the stretch last year for Ohio State, helping quarterback C.J. Stroud ensure he becomes a top-two pick in this draft. What Johnson doesn’t know is where he himself will end up. Projections are all over the place. Some see him going in the bottom half of the top 10. Others can see him landing in the mid-teens.
So what if he had a choice in the matter? Johnson appeared on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast hosted by NFL offensive linemen Taylor Lewan and Will Compton. They spoke to him about his hopes for the draft and where he might like to land. He said it would be nice to land somewhere warm like Miami. He also mentioned his hometown Cincinnati Bengals. However, there are three teams he has his eye on as ideal landing spots. The first team out of his mouth? The Chicago Bears.
Paris Johnson having interest in Chicago isn’t a surprise.
They have a glaring need at tackle, so it guarantees he would play immediately. Johnson made it clear he has no preference about which side he plays on. While he was a left tackle in 2022, he played right guard the year before. So he’s familiar with both sides of the line. His goal is to play right away. Then there is the positive impression the Bears made on him. Johnson singled out his interview with GM Ryan Poles and the coaching staff at the scouting combine as one that left an impression on him. It was the most enjoyable he had, because of their ability to make it fun for him with putt-putt or darts and their natural discussions about football.
Last but not least, it’s clear Paris Johnson would love to reunite with Justin Fields. The two were teammates in 2020, and the quarterback left a strong impression on the young lineman. They didn’t play together much, but Fields’ leadership ability shined through regardless. Johnson would love the opportunity to block for him as the Bears quarterback continues his quest for greatness in the NFL. Nobody can say what Poles has planned. If he does take Johnson, plenty of people will be happy, including the player himself.
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