The Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers square off for the third time this year, so these teams know each other fairly well. Any advantage you can get, you must take, but it looks like the Bears have a serious problem in the cornerback room going into the playoffs.
Jaylon Johnson spoke to the media on Wednesday and made it known that he isn't 100% healthy and that won't come until the offseason.
"I’m not going to get back to my full self until I get a full off-season to really attack my body head to toe and not being in having to prepare or a game where I can just really take all the time I need to get my body back together. But right now I’m just as best as as I’m going to get out of it," according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin.
Johnson isn't hiding the fact that he's less than 100% but the Bears' decision to trot him and Nahshon Wright out against the Packers over Tyrique Stevenson is jarring.
Bears Have No Faith in Tyrique Stevenson and Jaylon Johnson’s Comments Confirm That
Johnson has dealt with a groin injury for the entire year and it forced him to undergo surgery in September. Since returning in Week 13, he's been fighting to ramp up but has looked a step slow. In the season finale loss to the Detroit Lions, allowing six catches for 81 yards on seven targets.
Despite being shaky out there, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen seems to be comfortable playing Johnson and Wright. He stated those guys are playing better than Stevenson, which is why they are starting but that's concerning.
Johnson has struggled and clearly isn't healthy but the staff wants to play him over Stevenson. The 25-year-old has had his fair share of problems as well in 2025, giving up 578 receiving yards in coverage.
Yet he's still a healthier option than the Utah product. Continuing to put Johnson in that position looks like a mistake. In addition to Johnson's health, Wright has been picked on in coverage as well. During the regular season, he allowed the fifth most receiving yards (725), along with 13.7 yards per reception.
Both Johnson and Wright have left a ton to be desired in coverage but with the coaching staff staying firm on their decision to play them, it clearly shows how they feel about Stevenson. They have no faith in him, despite leaning on the former Miami standout when Johnson was out.
Yes, Stevenson has room to grow as well, but the fact that he's closer to 100% than Johnson should at least make it a conversation for him to play. Unfortunately for him, it doesn't look like that will change. He played in zero snaps against the Lions in Week 18, and it appears that trend will continue in the playoffs. Especially with Kyler Gordon expected to a part of the gameplan, per Dennis Allen.
There are multiple questions about the Bears' secondary, but it looks like nothing is going to work in Stevenson's favor.