Despite injuries, Johnson's elite play ranks him among the NFL's best corners, proving a dominant force when healthy.
The Chicago Bears had some injury issues in the secondary in 2025.
It felt like Kyler Gordon was in and out of the injured reserve more times than not, and Jaylon Johnson missed significant time as well. Gordon sustained hamstring, groin, and calf injuries this season.
Johnson played up until Week 2 before suffering a groin injury that kept him out of the lineup until Week 13.
Both corners came back in Week 13, but Gordon didn't stay for long as he injured himself in pregame warmups the following week ahead of the Green Bay Packers game.
When Johnson finally returned, he stayed on the field for the rest of the season and through the playoffs. Johnson played in nine games, including the playoffs, finishing with 23 total tackles and one interception.
It was a disappointing season for both Gordon and Johnson, as they missed significant time due to injuries.
However, when Johnson is fully healthy, he is a problem for receivers. Johnson previously went to consecutive Pro Bowls in 2023 and 2024.
Fans got a glimpse of that this past season. In the game against the Cleveland Browns, Johnson ripped the ball out of Jerry Jeudy's hands for an interception that saved a touchdown.
PFF had to remind everyone just how good the corner is when healthy. They revealed that Johnson is the sixth-highest-graded corner since 2016, with a 90.1 during the 2023 season.
Players like Devon Witherspoon, Cooper DeJean, Sauce Gardner, Jalen Ramsey, Chris Harris Jr., Jaire Alexander, Richard Sherman, and Stephon Gilmore were also featured. Ramsey was on the list twice for his efforts in 2021 and 2017.
In that 2023 season, Johnson made his first Pro Bowl after recording 35 total tackles, one TFL, four interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Johnson had a down year that was out of his control due to injuries, but expect him to be ready for a bounce-back season in 2026. If Johnson and Gordon can both stay healthy, opposing receivers are going to have their hands full.
Luckily for the secondary, the Bears retained defensive backs coach Al Harris. Harris was under consideration for defensive coordinator openings with the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, but both franchises went with different candidates.
Harris was partly responsible for the seasons that defensive backs Kevin Byard III and Nahshon Wright had.
If Harris can have Johnson and Gordon for a full season, watch out.