The accolades keep rolling in for Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
Johnson is coming off a career year, where he established himself as one of the NFL’s best cover corners. He totaled a career-high four interceptions, 36 tackles and 10 pass breakups in 14 games. Johnson was the highest-graded cornerback by Pro Football Focus with a 90.8 grade for the 2023 season.
Johnson has been recognized for his impressive season, including earning his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods. Now, Johnson has been named to the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-NFC team.
Bears CB Jaylon Johnson was named to the @PFWAwriters All-NFC team.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) January 22, 2024
Johnson is set to hit the free agent market this March, but general manager Ryan Poles made it clear that it won’t come to that.
“Jaylon’s not going to go anywhere,” Poles said during his end-of-year press conference on Jan. 10.
The ideal outcome is both sides are able to agree on a long-term deal — and it certainly feels like it’s heading in that direction. But the Bears could use the franchise tag, which would pay Johnson the average of the top five salaries at his position, projected to be in the $18.41 million range according to Over The Cap.
But the message this offseason has been clear: Johnson will be back with the Bears in 2024.
