Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson is eligible for a contract extension this offseason, and there's no doubt a new deal for the Bears' best defensive back ranks high on general manager Ryan Poles' list of things to do.
Johnson spoke with NBC Sports Chicago on Wednesday and confirmed he's engaged in some early contract extension discussions with the Bears, but it's a process that will likely heat up after Poles completes free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft.
"That’s definitely my goal," Johnson said of staying in Chicago. "That’s what I’ve always wanted to do is get my second contract after my third season with the Bears. There’s definitely been some talks. But I feel like it will heat up in due time after the free agency wave, the draft and things like that. We’ll just see where it goes.”
Johnson, 23, has started all 39 games he's played for the Bears since joining the team as a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. His ball production has left a bit to be desired, with just one interception in his career, but he's been a reliable cover corner and strong defender against the run through his first three seasons in the league.
Can the Chicago Bears find common ground with Jaylon Johnson?
The challenge for Poles will be finding common ground with Johnson's valuation. Contracts for the top cornerbacks in the NFL hover around $19 million per year. At the end of the 2022 season, 12 cornerbacks were paid average annual salaries north of $14 million.
"Step One is pay me," Johnson told NBC Sports Chicago. "That's definitely Step One."
Is Jaylon Johnson on the same level as players like Buffalo's Tre'Davious White or Baltimore's Marlon Humphrey? Probably not. Will he expect to be paid like them? Absolutely.
The Chicago Bears have plenty of money to ink Johnson to a new deal, but Poles has proven through his first year as general manager that he won't spend money just because it's there. He stood his ground in the Roquan Smith negotiations that ended with Smith getting traded to the Baltimore Ravens for a second-round pick.
Unlike linebackers, good cornerbacks are hard to find. And Jaylon Johnson is a good one. Poles may be more flexible with Johnson to keep him in Chicago as a key cog in the Bears" rebuilding efforts.
"I feel like there's really not anything that I can't do," Johnson said. "It's just moreso just trying to create things. But at the end of the day, I'm not a player that tries to force things either. It's just staying true to myself as well. But overall, very solid and consistent."
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