There were several notable Bears players not present during Tuesday’s voluntary organized team activities practice, including safety Eddie Jackson, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and offensive guard Nate Davis. But it’s cornerback Jaylon Johnson’s absence that looms the largest for the Bears.
While Jackson and Mooney are both rehabbing injuries from the previous season, that doesn’t appear to be the case for Johnson.
Bears coach Matt Eberflus confirmed that Johnson’s broken finger and ribs are “good to go,” which indicates his absence isn’t injury-related.
It’s worth noting that Johnson is entering a contract year, where he’s made it clear that he’d prefer to have a contract extension in place before the start of the 2023 season. That could explain his decision to forgo voluntary workouts.
Last year, when general manager Ryan Poles and Eberflus were brought in, Johnson skipped the voluntary minicamp the Bears held in April. When he showed up for OTAs, he started with the second-team defense and worked his way up.
The first concern is this situation spiraling out of control like Roquan Smith’s contract holdout last summer. After all, injury or contract disputes tend to be the reasons why a player skips voluntary OTAs.
But Eberflus doesn’t seem concerned that Johnson’s OTA absence will grow into something more serious.
“I don’t see it that way,” he said.
As for whether Johnson will be in attendance at mandatory minicamp in June, Eberflus wouldn’t say.
“Ask him when you see him,” Eberflus said.
While Johnson’s absence at OTAs isn’t a major concern — yet — it’s definitely something worth monitoring as the offseason progresses.
