After a season derailed by injury, Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson has an opportunity to reclaim his status as an elite cornerback in the NFL.
Injuries stole Jaylon Johnson's opportunity to play like a top cornerback last season.
Before training camp started in 2025, Johnson tore the adductor off his pelvic bone while training. He missed the entire preseason and the Chicago Bears' home opener at Soldier Field but returned to play the Detroit Lions in Week 2. He played just 20 snaps and then sustained a core muscle injury, forcing him on injured reserve.
The veteran played in just nine games (including the playoffs), allowing 17 receptions on 26 targets for a 65.4% completion percentage. He didn't give up a touchdown and secured one interception.
The 27-year-old cornerback didn't have a chance to build off his back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons. To no surprise, Johnson was left out of the top 10 in the cornerback installment of Jeremy Fowler's annual positional rankings.
ESPN surveyed league executive, coaches and scouts and had them vote to determine the top players at the position.
Although Johnson missed the initial ranking, the veteran was one of four players listed as an honorable mention.
"Time on task has been an issue. He missed a lot of camp and game action. But he's young (27), so he should be able to get back to his top form. He's got juice when he's full tilt," an NFL personnel evaluator said, via ESPN.
Johnson not only has plenty of juice left in the tank, but he's easily one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL when healthy. In his final year of his rookie contract (2023), the former Utah second-round pick put together his best season as a pro.
He finished the year with four interceptions (returning one for a touchdown), 10 passes defended and a forced fumble. According to Pro Football Focus, he also allowed just 195 yards and a 33.3 pass rating allowed -- first among cornerbacks with at least 75 snaps.
Johnson earned himself a four-year, $76 million contract extension the following offseason. For the first time in his NFL career, the Bears' cornerback played a full 17-game schedule in 2024. He logged two interceptions and allowed just 32 receptions on 53 targets for 448 yards and two touchdowns.
Everything was setting up for Johnson to have another productive year and to do so with Dennis Allen calling the defense. The veteran defensive coordinator heavily utilized man coverage when he was in New Orleans. According to ESPN, the Saints "were in man coverage on 55% of dropbacks (fifth-highest rate) and showed two-high safeties on 45% of snaps (third-highest).
With all the man coverage and ability for Johnson so shadow opposing No. 1 receivers, the Bears' top cornerback was looking forward to that challenge.
"You lock up the No. 1 guy," Johnson said during 2025 OTAs. "No. 1 on No. 1. For me, that's what I am looking forward to doing."
Injuries didn't allow that to happen. Allen's man coverage rate also dropped to 29.1% -- 8th in the NFL.
This upcoming season presents plenty of opportunities for the veteran cornerback. For the fist time in his NFL career, Johnson will have the same defensive coordinator from the previous year.
- 2020: Chuck Pagano
- 2021: Sean Desai
- 2022: Alan Williams
- 2023: Matt Eberflus
- 2024: Eric Washington
- 2025: Dennis Allen
He's also playing in a scheme that caters to his strengths, which could lead to more chances for interceptions.
Johnson's not just just playing to earn respect. He's playing for his next contact. After the 2026 season, he has zero guaranteed money left on the final year of his deal. While injuries may have derailed his sixth year in the league, the veteran has a prime opportunity to cement himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL this season.
