Jaylon Johnson expresses desire to stay with Chicago Bears

Since the NFL Trade Deadline, there have been few updates provided on the status of contract negotiations between the Chicago Bears and primary cornerback Jaylon Johnson.

The Bears never entertained a legitimate trade of Johnson at the deadline despite giving the veteran cornerback permission to seek a deal. Bears' general manager Ryan Poles, after the deadline, made it seem like the team has placed value on Johnson's role with the defense.

Despite Poles' fondness for Johnson as the team's primary cornerback, negotiations were believed to be table until the end of the season. Last week, Johnson seemingly confirmed that he was looking to reset the market for cornerbacks with his next contract.

This week, Johnson did reiterate his desire to remain with the Bears for the long-term.

For better or worse, the situation between the Bears and Johnson is playing out like the situation between the team and former linebacker Roquan Smith should have gone. By all accounts, the Bears wanted to retain Smith and the linebacker wanted to remain in Chicago for the long term. The issue, Smith's lack of an agent and inexperience in a then first-year general manager led to the negotiations getting personal. Feelings were hurt and that ultimately led the Bears to trade Smith to the Baltimore Ravens.

Fortunately, the situation between the Bears and Johnson has not devolved to that point. So far, negotiations between the Bears and Johnson have followed the typical blueprint. It would seem unlikely that the Bears would reach a contract extension with Johnson this off-season but the franchise tag looms. Johnson has not been opposed to the franchise tag and that would allow the Bears one more season to reach a long-term deal with their star cornerback.

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