The Chicago Bears and cornerback Jaylon Johnson agreed to a four-year, $76 million contract extension on Thursday, Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report first reported. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, $43.8 million will be guaranteed at signing and $28 million will be guaranteed in the first year.
Johnson was drafted by the Bears in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft out of Utah, and he immediately established himself as a cornerstone on Chicago’s defense. Last season was a career year for Johnson, totaling 36 tackles and a career-high four interceptions while making his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams.
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The Bears opted not to trade Johnson at the trade deadline last year, but they did place the franchise tag on him before NFL free agency to give them more time to negotiate an extension. Those two decisions paid off, as Chicago locks up a core piece of the team at just 24 years old.
Chicago entered the offseason with over $75 million of open cap space to spend, making them one of the teams to watch this offseason. Besides likely being active in free agency, the Bears have two top 10 picks in this year’s draft, including No. 1 overall.
