Jaylon

Johnson

Johnson’s deal includes $54 million in guaranteed money, with $43.8 million due at signing. His new deal comes days after the Bears placed the franchise tag on the Second-Team All-Pro, who totaled 36 tackles and four interceptions in 2023. Regarded as one of the league’s top corners, Johnson allowed 195 yards on 25 catches and only one touchdown per PFF while earning a coverage grade of 91.0. Now one of the highest-paid corners in the league, Johnson, 24, will be under contract through 2028 and will be poised to earned another big contract before his 30th birthday.

Coming off a breakout season, Johnson and the Bears will continue to work to get a deal done, but the tag keeps him in Chicago for now. The Bears are the talk of the off-season and they just checked one box. Johnson had 36 tackles and four interceptions in his first Pro Bowl season.

Johnson is in line for a big payday this offseason, whether with the Bears or somebody else. The former second-round pick requested a trade during last year’s trade deadline but remained with the team, closing out the season with 36 tackles, four interceptions, and one forced fumble. Bears GM Ryan Poles said Johnson is “not going to go anywhere,” so we’d expect the two sides to come to an agreement, or the Bears to franchise tag Johnson if needed.

Johnson sits Week 18 with a shoulder injury. He is in a contract year and a candidate to be franchise-tagged by Chicago. While Johnson requested a trade around the 2023 trade deadline, he was not dealt, indicating the Bears at least want to retain him. Now sitting out against the Packers, Johnson can get his shoulder healthy and enter an offseason that will see him get paid. Bears also declared WR Darnell Mooney, RB D’Onta Foreman, S Quindell Johnson, CB Greg Stroman, OL Ja’Tyre Carter, and QB Tyson Bagent inactive for Week 18 against the Packers.

Buffalo and the Niners could bolster their struggling secondaries with the acquisition of Johnson, who has requested a trade from the Bears. The teams would need to act before the league’s 3 p.m. eastern trade deadline. Pro Football Focus grades the 49ers as the fourth best coverage unit this season, with the Bills coming in at seventh.

The Bears also ruled out safety Eddie Jackson and cornerback Jaylon Johnson for their Week 5 bout with Washington. Claypool is expected to remain away from his team until the Bears can find a trade partner for the struggling wideout. The continued absences of Jackson and Johnson will keep the Bears near the bottom of the league in most pass-defense metrics. Sam Howell is in a great spot to turn things around after a rocky start to his second NFL season.

Joining Johnson on the sideline was starting free safety Eddie Jackson. While Jackson has said he expects to play, both players not being able to suit up on Tuesday is a bit of a concern with the Bears taking on the Commanders on the road on Thursday night. If the Bears are down half of their starting secondary again, that will only make things even more enticing for Sam Howell, Terry McLaurin, and the rest of the Washington offense.

They also sent Kindle Vildor (ankle) to injured reserve. Johnson finishes his third season with 11 starts and seven passes defensed. He’s entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2023 with only one interception to his name. Not a Ryan Poles/Matt Eberflus pick, Johnson could potentially be shopped this offseason if other teams had real interest.

Smith didn’t practice all week, but the Bears are still playing him. Meanwhile, CB Jaylon Johnson (quad), a surprise DNP on Friday is out. Also inactive for the Bears are WR Velus Jones (hamstring), S Dane Cruikshank (hamstring), TE Ryan Griffin (Achilles), LB Matt Adams (hamstring), and OL Ja’Tyre Carter. The only interesting name here from a fantasy perspective is Jones, who hasn’t played in any of the first three contests of the season and has barely practiced with a long-term hamstring injury.

As is Roquan Smith despite neither player being able to practice throughout the week. Slot CB Buster Skrine meanwhile has already been ruled out. The Bears, universally listed as 10.5-point road dogs for Sunday, are expected to be extremely shorthanded on defense in the worst imaginable spot against Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas, both who are expected to be back at full strength.