Jaylon Johnson still looking to prove himself following contract extension with the Bears
When the Chicago Bears inked Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson to a massive extension to remain in Chicago days after being placed on the franchise tag, it was a great moment for a star player coming off a career season. Johnson played like one of the best cornerbacks in the league during the final year […]
When the Chicago Bears inked Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson to a massive extension to remain in Chicago days after being placed on the franchise tag, it was a great moment for a star player coming off a career season.
Johnson played like one of the best cornerbacks in the league during the final year of his rookie contract and after a full year of negotiations, the two sides agreed to terms on a deal to keep him locked up in Chicago.
Johnson's sudden rise to stardom during the 2023 season was expected for those inside the locker room yet opposing quarterbacks around the league still continued to look Johnson's way during the season, a trend Johnson believes won't come to an end after his massive pay day.
"I still believe that my opponents don't think I'm good enough," Johnson said while addressing the media for the first time since signing his extension on Monday. "So, I will show them when that time comes. That's what I've always done since I've came into the league."
Johnson's career best season in 2023 was headlined by tying for the team-high with four interceptions and having a league-best 33.3 passer rating allowed in coverage. Johnson entered into the season with one total interception during his first three seasons. His evolution into one of the game's top corners was a highlight of the season and he was paid handsomely for it with a 4-year, $76M deal.
"The contract changes some people, but I’m not one of those," Johnson said. "For me, I still got a lot to prove to myself. And I mean, goals just continue to be set and you set new ones. The money doesn’t stop the hunger."
At 24-year-old, Johnson will get to hit the market and renegotiate a new deal while he's still in his prime once this new 4-year extension expires, something that both parties noted as a major priority for the structure of this deal.
"I feel like it's really big and again, I feel like for me as long as I get the guaranteed money and I get another bite at the apple, I get to do it again," Johnson explained. "That's the biggest thing, just to make as much money as fast as I can, and then get back to the apple and do it again."
Johnson's main goal entering the 2024 season is replicating the success he found last season that earned second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors for the first time in his career. After such a massive season compared to his three years before, Johnson is waiting to put the mindset to bed that his career year was nothing more than a fluke.
"Some people think it's luck, so I gotta do it three years in a row," Johnson said. "I know what comes with that. I want to be able to have a [gold] jacket. I want to be the best #33 to wear the jersey. I have those type of goals and aspirations and I know with things like that to get a [gold] jacket, you got to be consistently great. I think for me that's my goal is to consistently be great to have years like I had for back-to-back-to-back-to-back seasons."
Johnson will return as one of the leaders of the Bears' secondary that will now also feature former All-Pro safety Kevin Byard. The two stars will have to emerge as leaders for the younger defensive backs on the roster such as Jaquan Brisker, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, and Terell Smith.
"I think that's the biggest thing I take pride in," Johnson added. "Just coming in being a contributor, being a leader, being a dog on the field and leading our defense to be successful. And at the end of the day, just playing at a high level. So I mean, just for us, we got to continue to raise the bar, raise the standard, and I know we left a lot of things out there last year that I know we want back this year. So just looking forward to working the season getting back with the guys in the offseason. Just continuing to win and get better."
The Bears' young secondary was tied for the most interceptions in the NFL last season and will continue to be a ball-hawking unit under head coach Matt Eberflus' zone defense. The return of Johnson and addition of Byard will help the unit continue playing at the top level they finished the season at in 2023.
Jaylon Johnson’s massive contract extension may actually be a bargain for the Chicago Bears
It’s a win for both sides.
