The secondary for the Chicago Bears is one of the positions of strength on this roster, and that unit could be receiving a major boost sooner rather than later.
With the depth in the secondary already sticking out to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, head coach Ben Johnson added to the excitement around that position by revealing one of the team's projected starters on the outside is moving closer to a potential return.
During his session with the media on Thursday morning, Johnson provided an update on the All-Pro defender and suggested he could be back in uniform and ready to go for the Bears Week 1 showdown against the Minnesota Vikings.
Ben Johnson Teases Ailing Bears Vet Jaylon Johnson's Return for Week 1
Jaylon Johnson suffered a leg injury while training during the offseason. That much is known. The exact details of what transpired to lead to the leg issue are uncertain, but we do know it was a non-football injury.
With that being said, Chicago's coaching staff has maintained that they don't feel it will be an issue that lingers into the regular season. The Bears' head coach reiterated that stance on Thursday when asked for an update on Johnson's status, as there remains hope within the facility that he'll be active for the season opener.
Ben Johnson on Jaylon Johnson: “I think there’s a scenario that he’ll be ready for Week 1.”
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) July 31, 2025
Should Johnson be cleared to return against Minnesota, it would be a major boost for Chicago as defending Justin Jefferson will require a total team effort. Even if he isn't ready for that matchup, however, just the expectation that the All-Pro will be back during the early portion of the regular season is fantastic news in its own right.
The five-year veteran has been a mainstay in the Bears' lineup since being drafted by the franchise in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Over the last two seasons, Johnson has 89 total tackles and six interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
With a healthy Jaylon Johnson joining the likes of Tre Flowers, Tyrique Stevenson, and Kyler Gordon at cornerback and Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard III at safety, Chicago has a chance to have an elite secondary during the 2025 season.