The Chicago Bears’ defense has been far better than anybody expected. After a rough first game against the Carolina Panthers, they have allowed just 28 points total in the past 3 against the Vikings, Eagles, and Jets. One would think that this turnaround is largely thanks to the presence of cornerback Jaylon Johnson. The two-time Pro Bowler came into the season finally healthy after an injury-marred 2025. Most, including himself, expected a big rebound season. After all, Johnson has a new contract extension to chase. In reality? The Bears haven’t won because of him.
They’ve won in spite of him.
That feels incredible to say, given how good the cornerback has been in the past. However, new data continues to show that Johnson has been a liability through the first month of the season. Opponents have targeted him 19 times, completing 15 passes for 248 yards. In his career, the most he has ever allowed in a season was 588 during his rookie year in 2020. At his current pace, Johnson will allow 1,054 yards. It would mark the first time a cornerback has cracked 1,000 since 2023, when Cameron Sutton did it in Detroit.
Jaylon Johnson has looked sluggish.
That is the most alarming part. In this age of wide receivers, the worst thing you can be as a cornerback is slow. Johnson has always demonstrated great speed and quickness for his size, which is why he was such a headache to go against. This year, he seems far more vulnerable to speed, while quicker wide receivers seem to create separation against him consistently. Johnson has yet even to get his hands on the football once. No interceptions and no passes defended in four games and counting.
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It isn’t because teams aren’t throwing at him. Jaylon Johnson has been targeted more than any player on the team. Quarterbacks clearly aren’t afraid to go at him, and apparently for good reason. His 118.8 passer rating allowed is 57th out of 70 qualifying cornerbacks. It feels like this should be a bigger story. Lucky for him, two factors have masked it. One is, of course, the quality play of the overall defense, ranking top 10 in total yards and points allowed. The other is the unexpected ascent of rookie corner Malik Muhammad.
Johnson isn’t fighting for a new contract anymore.
He might be fighting for his job period. One thing we’ve learned about this coaching staff is that it doesn’t suffer sub-standard play for long. If they sense a player can’t play at a high level, they will move on. Don’t forget that Dennis Allen inherited Johnson. There is no personal loyalty since the coach had no say in drafting him. That always plays a factor in any roster decision. Johnson has one year left on his contract after this season, and the dead money won’t be a deterrent next offseason. Cutting him would net the Bears $16 million in space.
This is the same team that let Kevin Byard walk this past spring despite 7 interceptions. Why? Mostly because he was too slow. Speed is a major must for this staff. Johnson was already on the slower side coming out of college, running a 4.50 in the 40-yard dash. If he has lost even a half step, that is a massive concern. He has 13 games left to get it figured out.
