One year after being shut out of the Pro Bowl, the Bears will send two players to this year’s event: cornerback Jaylon Johnson and defensive end Montez Sweat.
It’s the first such honor for each player.
Pro Football Focus grades Johnson as the best cornerback in the NFL. Sweat’s 12½ sacks rank 10th.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles sent the Commanders a second-round pick for Sweat on Oct. 31.
“Tez has been wonderful to have,” coach Matt Eberflus said. “He’s helped out the whole organization.”
On the same day as the Sweat trade, Johnson, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, requested that Poles trade him. The GM resisted — and watched Johnson blossom. The Bears figure to keep Johnson on the franchise tag next year if they can’t negotiate a long-term deal this offseason.
Wednesday marked the third time in four years the Bears have had two Pro Bowl nominees. Edge rusher Khalil Mack and special-teamer Cordarrelle Patterson went after the 2020 season, and edge rusher Robert Quinn and special teamer Jakeem Grant after 2021.
Former Bears who made the Pro Bowl on Wednesday include the Chargers’ Mack, Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith, Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert and Vikings long snapper Andrew DePaola. The Packers had no Pro Bowl picks.
Last year, the NFL replaced the typical all-star game with the Pro Bowl Games skills competitions, held Feb. 4 in Orlando, Florida.
The final fan vote — which made up one-third of the voting — ranked Johnson second at his position, safety Jaquan Brisker and kicker Cairo Santos third, and guard Teven Jenkins, linebacker T.J. Edwards and Sweat fourth. Tight end Cole Kmet, receiver DJ Moore, fullback Khari Blasingame, tackle Darnell Wright and quarterback Justin Fields were also in the top 10.
