The Chicago Bears defense isn’t playing well this year. There are several reasons for that. Age being one and health being another. When it comes to talent though? They have plenty. Perhaps most encouraging is that a good chunk of it is young. Roquan Smith has already emerged as a Pro Bowl-caliber player at inside linebacker. He’s been everywhere this year. The biggest unsung hero though has to be Jaylon Johnson.
If people stick to the numbers alone, they will say Johnson has had an okay year. He has one interception and opposing QBs have a 96.6 passer rating when throwing in his direction. However, those numbers lie. The second-year cornerback has played really well this season and Sunday night in Green Bay might’ve been his finest performance. In it he went toe-to-toe with Davantae Adams most of the night, the best wide receiver in football, and allowing just two catches for 19 yards.
The Packers were able to create better matchups for Davante Adams by moving him into the slot.
Adams caught just 2 of 5 targets for 19 yards when Jaylon Johnson was the nearest defender. Adams caught all 8 of his targets vs other defenders for 102 yards.#CHIvsGB | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/9C3xzBLjbK
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 13, 2021
Former Central Grizzlies Jaylon Johnson covering the best receiver in the NFL, former @FresnoStateFB Davante Adams.
It’s beautiful watching the battle!@NBAxJay1 @_CGFootball @tae15adams pic.twitter.com/aTdvvcptmO
— PAGMETER (@PAGMETER) December 13, 2021
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It got to a point where Green Bay had to scheme Adams away from Johnson.
The only bad moment came when the Packers receiver got him on a slant route for a touchdown. It was a brilliant play by Adams. One that would’ve burned any other corner in the league. Outside of that singular moment, Johnson had a near-perfect game. Considering the challenge posed by both receiver and the QB throwing him the ball in Aaron Rodgers? It should’ve been a star-making performance.
Sadly the defense gave up 38 points in another ugly affair against the Packers. Johnson’s game will go largely unnoticed by the wider public. Still, this has wider implications for the future. It means the Bears have a significant piece on defense they can rebuild around. Johnson isn’t even 23-years old yet. He has a long career ahead of him if he stays healthy. If the team can find another quality corner to pair with him, it won’t take long for this unit to rebound.
Jaylon Johnson is emblematic of Ryan Pace’s entire GM return
Even though he wasn’t the first pick in the 2020 draft, he is shaping up to be the best one. Cole Kmet has been a disappointment thus far. It is another example of Pace having a keen eye for defensive talent and understanding where to find it regardless of round. Getting Johnson at 50th overall in the 2nd round is looking more and more like one of the bigger steals the Bears have had a long time.
People are free to criticize the GM about his (many) mistakes on offense, but his legacy is secure when it comes to finding really good defensive players. As ever though, that isn’t enough to win in today’s league. Not that it matters to Jaylon Johnson. His job doesn’t change. To cover the best receiver every opponent has and shut them down. He has done that better than people give him credit for.
The fear isn’t whether he’ll be good.
It is pretty clear he is. The fear is the Bears won’t be able to take full advantage of it. Can they retool the defense quickly enough to maximize his full potential? Or will he be another Donnell Woolford? Condemned to have a good career on mostly average defenses. Hopefully, it doesn’t end up that way.
