Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson wants to get paid this offseason
By Todd Welter
The price the Chicago Bears will have to pay to re-sign cornerback Jaylon Johnson keeps going up every Sunday.
Johnson is set to be a free agent after this season and has racked up interceptions in consecutive games. He has four on the season.
Taking the ball away has always been a hole in his game. He is showing this season he can get takeaways to go with his amazing coverage skills.
Now Johnson wants to get paid.
It will not be cheap. He believes producing takeaways has earned him the right to be among the highest-paid corners.
Jaylon Johnson's view has changed on how much he deserves on his next contract.
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) December 12, 2023
As he continues to produce game-changing plays, he believes he deserves top-of-the-market cornerback money, as he told @DannyParkins and @MattSpiegel670.
Read: https://t.co/UfeGAfKwkb pic.twitter.com/P4q3f5R6BR
Negotiations on a contract extension broke down before the trade deadline between Johnson and the Chicago Bears. Johnson even requested a trade, but the Bears’ asking price of a first-round pick was too high for potential suitors.
Johnson said at the time he was not looking to reset the cornerback market. Two more interceptions have him changing his tune.
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson knows his price tag is going up, as he told @DannyParkins and @MattSpiegel670.
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) December 12, 2023
"After this season, I feel like there's not anything that you can say that I'm not doing," Johnson says.
Listen to his full interview: https://t.co/NPae3Nl2Na pic.twitter.com/j86YQDk38G
Johnson is one of the best cover corners in the game. His presence takes away a portion of the field. Having weaker teammates opposite him was another reason offenses did not target him.
That has changed with the emergence of second-year nickel corner Kyler Gordon and rookie Tyrique Stevenson.
Those two could be the reason general manager Ryan Poles refuses to give Johnson a very expensive new contract. Rookie Terrell Smith has also been impressive during his brief times on the field. It is not like the Bears do not have depth at cornerback.
At the same time, Johnson is a young, homegrown player entering his prime. The Chicago Bears have the cap space. Gordon still has two more seasons on his rookie deal. Stevenson and Smith have three. It is not like significant cap resources are being sunk into this premium position.
The Bears could place the franchise tag on Johnson. He is not opposed to getting tagged.
How would you feel if the Bears applied the franchise tag to retain you?
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) December 11, 2023
Jaylon Johnson: "The money is still good."
The Bears would be wise to pay Johnson as his price is only going to keep going up if he keeps racking up more picks or accomplishes his goal of making the All-Pro team.
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