The Chicago Bears have come to a decision on what to do with Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson and it's finally one he's not going to like.

The Bears are officially expected to franchise tag their lock down corner, keeping him under contract in Chicago for the 2024 season.

Johnson was set to be a pending free agent but instead returns to Chicago after his breakout season in 2023. The franchise tag for cornerbacks will come out to be $19,802,000. He is now the second cornerback to be tagged this offseason.

While playing on the one-year tag seems like a bad outcome for most players, the belief is that the Bears and Johnson will continue working on a long-term deal. The two sides have been in heavy negotiations over a long-term deal in Chicago dating back to last offseason with Johnson heading into the final year of his rookie contract.

Here's how our own AtoZ Sports' cap experts break down the situation between Johnson and the Bears on a potential new deal.

"Based on these contracts Johnson’s team will look to secure a contract that represents 9.5 – 10% of this year’s $255.4 million salary cap on an average per year basis. That range would be $24.25 – $25.5 million per year. With the likely franchise tag ($19.802 million) now representing a floor and the 10% of this year’s cap ($25.5 million) representing a ceiling there is a $5.7 million spread of where the deal should fall." – Josh Queipo & Kyle Dediminicantanio

"Johnson will be 25 when the new season begins. A four year deal would allow him to re-enter free agency prior to his age-29 season. Most of the top-end deals have included full guarantees of 35 – 45% of the total contract. Using the midpoint of that range would get a figure of $35 – $36 million, but I think Johnson’s camp will push for $40 million." 

After the negotiations fell through when the season began, Johnson went to work and put together the best season of his entire career earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors.

During the NFL Combine, Bears' general manager Ryan Poles shared some transparent insight to the negotiation process that led to the belief that a new contract with his top cornerback could get done in due time.

"We feel like we've done a really good job kind of coming to the table strong, [and] showing the respect that he's due just in terms of his production to his career," Poles said. "[We] really put an emphasis on the turnovers that he created this past year. Our expectation is that's going to continue to go as he's with the Bears."

Poles noted that he wanted to set Johnson up for life and play more free on his new deal with the Bears but hasn’t yet stayed true to his word.

Listen to Bears GM Ryan Poles explain why CB Jaylon Johnson is about to be paid like the top-flight cornerback he is pic.twitter.com/D6psWudiHK

— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) February 27, 2024

"When I say coming to the table strong, that means cash flows are strong, guarantees are strong, [and] the terms are strong for him," Poles added. "Being his age, there's a really good opportunity for him to go back to the market again [and] continue to earn money and play well and hopefully that's with the Bears for a long period of time. So I'm excited about that."

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Despite being just 24-years-old, Johnson is now an unquestioned leader of the Bears' secondary following the release of veteran safety Eddie Jackson. Having Johnson back in the fold for at least the 2024 season is a major deal for the rest of the team's young defensive backs such as Jaquan Brisker, Kyler Gordon, and Tyrique Stevenson.

Johnson attempted to request a trade during the 2023 regular season ahead of the official trade deadline but no legitimate inquiries presented themselves worthy of making a deal. Throughout the entire process, Johnson remained unquestionably loyal to the Bears and simply wanted to be recognized financially for his value to the organization.

The Bears lock in one of their young defensive stars for next season while giving Johnson the opportunity to prove that his career season in 2023 was not a fluke. If Johnson continues to do so, he will be in line for an even larger extension that will continue to allow him to be paid among the highest paid players at his positions.

Overall, this is a major win for the Bears as an organization in the short-term but could be viewed negatively by Johnson unless a long-term deal gets finalized soon.

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