Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson was far from healthy last season, but defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is looking forward to how the veteran defensive back can impact his defense.
Dennis Allen's secondary was far from consistent last season.
The veteran defensive coordinator likely entered his first year with the Chicago Bears thinking about the plays he could call with a cornerback room that featured Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson.
All three of those players missed time throughout the 2025 season, but Johnson and Gordon were hit the hardest, making it difficult for Allen to prepare for opponents without key playmakers. That's especially true with Johnson, who has proven his status among his peers since being drafted in 2020.
Johnson only played nine games last season, leaving unanswered questions about how a fully healthy veteran corner elevates Allen's defense.
“Jaylon's a good player," Allen said. "I don't think he was fully healthy last year, and we're excited about seeing what he can do. I don't know that I've had an opportunity to see upfront what he looks like fully healthy. So, it's kind of hard to answer that question just a little bit. I'm hopeful that he can be healthy and stay healthy and be a productive player like he's been in the past.”
According to ESPN, while Allen was with New Orleans from 2016-24, the Saints utilized man coverage on 55% of dropbacks (fifth-highest rate) and deployed two-high safeties on 45% of snaps (third-highest).
Allen has asked his top cornerback to shadow opposing No. 1 wide receivers in the past, but that wasn't a part of the game plan while Johnson dealt with a torn adductor and core muscle injury.
But that element should be available to Allen with Johnson healthy, which positive impacts every members of the Bears' defense.
Free agent acquisition Coby Bryant understands what Johnson adds to a defensive backfield.
"So I've been watching his tape since college, elite competitor, dominance in man, can tackle, can make plays on the ball," Bryant said. "Honestly, and we connected right away early, so me and him have a great connection early. Obviously, more room to grow and, you know, keep connecting as well too, but excited to be playing with him."
Bryant shared that communication between him and Johnson has been "great" so far, adding that they've been on the same page since the start of OTAs. The best version of the Bears' defense needs Johnson to return to the player he was before injuries disrupted his 2025 campaign.
If he can stay on the field, Allen will have a front-row seat to just how dominant Johnson can be in his system.
