Chicago Bears 2021 Free Agency: Top five safety targets
By Ryan Heckman
Chicago Bears top free agency safety targets: John Johnson III
The Bears likely won’t spend a fortune on filling their strong safety position, but never rule anything out with Ryan Pace in charge. If Pace wanted to spend big money on Jackson’s running mate, then there’s not a whole lot of better options than John Johnson III.
He has become one of the league’s best safeties since being drafted in the third round out of Boston College back in 2017. Over his first two years with the Los Angeles Rams, Johnson compiled 194 total tackles and a ridiculous 22 passes defensed. He also picked off a career-best four passes in 2018.
In 2019, Johnson started just five games due to injury. But, he played all season long in 2020. Last year, he tallied 105 tackles and eight passes defensed, picking up right where he left off before his injury.
Surprisingly, Johnson has yet to make a Pro Bowl. But, he’s one of the league’s most underrated players overall. A Pro Bowl is in his future — multiple, in fact. If the Rams can somehow re-sign him, their defense stays atop the NFL. But, with the salary cap being an issue for Los Angeles, Johnson will likely hit the market.
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Would the Bears make him a priority? He would certainly take this defense to a new level by being paired with a talent like Jackson.