Bears CB Jaylon Johnson gives an honest performance review in his first game back and explains why he didn’t shadow A.J. Brown
Up and down game but it was great to see CB1 back out there.
The Chicago Bears had a defining win in Week 13 against the reigning Super Bowl champs on Black Friday by absolutely dominating the Philadelphia Eagles at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
The offense, while still dealing with some issues, was steamrolling the Eagles’ daunting defensive front with zero remorse. D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai each plowed into the end zone and eclipsed 100 yards rushing while quarterback Caleb Williams hit the big time throws needed to secure the win on the road.
Defensively, Dennis Allen’s unit got a big boost with cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon returning to action but the two actually had a quiet game. Immediately following the game, Johnson was able to provide some insights on his individual performance.
Jaylon Johnson describes his up and down performance in Week 13 return
Friday was Johnson’s first game in action since Week 2, the game in which he reaggravated a groin injury, prompting him to undergo core muscle surgery and landing on the injured reserve. The Bears wanted to give Johnson ample time to fully recover and still played things smart against the Eagles with Johnson playing just 33 of the 54 defensive snaps.
“I felt alright,” Johnson said on the Speakeasy Podcast immediately after the win. “Just trying to keep battling through (this injury) for real. For me, just honestly trying to stay in it because it’s a long process. Because you don’t want to get healthy and try to balance the setbacks. It’s really just staying patient, keep attacking the rehab the best I can and try to stay healthy.”
While it was great to see Johnson back on the field, it wasn’t quite the full return many were hoping to see. Coming into the season, Johnson was expected to shadow opposing No. 1 wide receivers in this new scheme, so it was shocking to see Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown go for 132 yards and two touchdowns on 12 targets. However, Brown had zero targets matched up with Johnson, but guarding Brown all night wasn’t a situation the team wanted to throw Johnson immediately into.
“It’s first day out,” Johnson explained. “I’m on a pitch count. I’m just trying to get my feet back right and my legs back under me. I’m sure if I was healthy that would have been a matchup we would have all been able to see.”
Johnson, actually, did have one target matchup up against Brown on third-and-nine in the second quarter. However, Brown pushed off Johnson at the top of the route and was called for an offensive pass interference, forcing Philly to back up and eventually punt the ball away.
Overall, Pro Football Focus charted Johnson with two receptions allowed on three targets for 42 yards. Johnson had one really nice pass breakup, but the biggest play Johnson would like to have back was the 30-yard completion allowed to DeVonta Smith on third-and-three. But again, it was his first game back. Once he’s fully healthy, we know the kind of outcome he will bring.
To make the story even better of having Johnson back in the fold, he was able to play in the game that solidified 2025 as a winning season for the Bears, regardless of the final five games. It’s the first winning season Johnson has been a part of since being drafted in 2020. It means more to him.
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It’s time to start playing your best football.
