Jaylon Johnson’s extension aged fast with CB market exploding and he's already hinting about something the Bears would like to avoid
One of the biggest accomplishments general manager Ryan Poles pulled off with the Chicago Bears was coming to terms on an extension with Jaylon Johnson back in March of 2024.Even at the time, the value was incredible for the Bears following Johnson's first career Pro Bowl season.The process itself was a major headache for Chicago. […]
One of the biggest accomplishments general manager Ryan Poles pulled off with the Chicago Bears was coming to terms on an extension with Jaylon Johnson back in March of 2024.
Even at the time, the value was incredible for the Bears following Johnson's first career Pro Bowl season.
The process itself was a major headache for Chicago. During the 2023 season, there was a real possibility that Johnson could get traded at the deadline if the two sides continued to haggle over a new deal. As the deadline and season passed, the next concern was whether or not the Bears would use the franchise tag on Johnson for the 2024 season.
Ultimately, the Bears agreed to a four-year, $76 million contract extension with their standout cornerback, a deal that made everyone happy, at the time.
"We're extremely excited to be able to keep Jaylon here for the next four years," Poles said when the deal was finalized. "He's an integral part of our defense and his leadership will help our team continue to ascend."
Just over a year later, Johnson turned in another Pro Bowl worthy season and earned yet another Top-10 ranking at his position. As for his contract, it's aging fast with multiple top corners signing new deals pushing Johnson down the totem pole.
Which is why Johnson is already hinting at something the front office would ideally like to avoid for as long as possible.
"Just seeing a lot of the other corners getting paid, I almost feel like we need to have another discussion coming up soon," Johnson said on the Rich Eisen Show with guest host Seth Rollins. "The market is moving. As long as I keep being myself and keep playing at a high level, definitely going to be some more conversations coming up soon and really keep it long-term."
Johnson has every right to feel this way as he continues to watch the market continue to climb. He feels like he's the best player at his position, yet right now he's the 13th highest-paid cornerback by average per year. Here's the full list of every CB currently ranking above Johnson for context:
- Sauce Gardner: $30.1M per year
- Derek Stingley Jr.: $30M per year
- Jaycee Horn: $25M per year
- Jalen Ramsey: $24.1M per year
- Patrick Surtain II: $24M per year
- A.J. Terell: $20.25M per year
- Denzel Ward: $20.1M per year
- Marshon Lattimore: $19.52M per year
- Marlon Humphrey: $19.5M per year
- Trevon Diggs: $19.4M per year
- Tyson Campbell: $19.125M per year
- L'Jarius Sneed: $19.1M per year
- Jaylon Johnson: $19M per year
Even though Johnson is under contract for three more seasons, getting a pay raise isn't unheard of if his play continues to warrant it. Good news is, it's not something the Bears' front office needs to worry about right now or at all in 2025.
It is notable that Johnson is already making it known that he's aware of where he stands among other players at his position making this something to seriously monitor down the road.
Latest CB ranking puts Bears’ CB Jaylon Johnson high among the league’s best with 2025 poised to be his most dominant season yet
He’s sure to deliver in a big way.
