Jaylon Johnson confirms suspicion on how he will be used in Dennis Allen's defense, and it's a way that will put a smile on his face
The Chicago Bears are expected to have a lot of changes and challenges coming in 2025 with Ben Johnson, Dennis Allen, and the rest of the new staff coming in.The first day under the new staff occurred on Monday during the start of the offseason program.While players weren't permitted to take the field just yet, […]
The Chicago Bears are expected to have a lot of changes and challenges coming in 2025 with Ben Johnson, Dennis Allen, and the rest of the new staff coming in.
The first day under the new staff occurred on Monday during the start of the offseason program.
While players weren't permitted to take the field just yet, yesterday was the first real opportunity for the majority of the players to meet the staff. Even though this phase is completely voluntary, many top players still make sure to show back up this week.
"I think it's big for me to just come in and be able to shake guys hands and see them in person," cornerback Jaylon Johnson said. "Not just talked to them on the phone, but to come in really just be with the guys, to show the guys that I'm here."
For Johnson, the team's top cornerback, Monday was also the first real chance to start connecting with Allen, his new defensive coordinator.
Coming over from the New Orleans Saints, Allen has established a reputation of being a strong defensive mind in the NFL with a long line of successful players on the backend of the secondary, who also demands a lot out of his players on defense.
Playing under Allen, one of the things Johnson is excited for in 2025 is having the ability to shadow opposing team's top receiving options and playing more man coverage, going head-to-head with the best in the league all over the field.
"For me, that's what I'm looking forward to doing," Johnson explained. "That's what I train for. That's what I work hard for. For me, it's just going to be about being ready to go out there and lock up."
Last season, Johnson allowed a 62.7 reception percentage and an 85.7 passer rating in coverage in route to his second consecutive Pro Bowl appearance. He's more than proven capable of being able to go up against top targets play after play.
As for the rest of the defense, Allen plans to be an aggressive-style unit up-front getting after the quarterback, which makes things easier on the backend for guys like Johnson in coverage.
"The dogs up-front, they gotta eat," Johnson added. "Everybody just do what they do best. Dogs eat and then the guys on the backend can cover."
Overall as a whole, the Bears defense ranked 14th in passing yards allowed and 16th in total sacks in 2024, two areas Allen will look to improve for the unit going into 2025.
