NEWSLETTER
Nearly 24 hours after a two-interception statement game, it sounds like Jaylon Johnson and the Chicago Bears are exploring an extension that could keep the team’s top cornerback around for the foreseeable future.
During his weekly appearance on 670 The Score’s Parkins and Spiegel Show on Monday afternoon, Johnson was asked about the state of extension negotiations. And I’d categorize his response as being encouraging, especially if you’re fond of Johnson and would like to see him continue his playing career in Chicago:
I would consider this update to be a pleasant surprise. It had been pretty quiet on the Jaylon Johnson extension front prior to this revelation. But I’m glad there is some noise being made here. After all, we’ve been banging the table for Johnson to get a new deal for quite some time.
Jaylon Johnson extension watch
The 24-year-old cornerback has been a top Bears defender since arriving as a rookie in 2020. A second-round pick (50th overall) in the 2020 NFL Draft, Johnson is a four-year starter who has been productive on the field and is seen as a locker-room leader. For a rebuilding team like the Bears, you’d think they’d prioritize extending Johnson. Perhaps that is something that will get done ahead of the upcoming Oct. 31 NFL Trade Deadline. With how Johnson frames it, Oct. 31 (which is coming up in eight days) could serve as an artificial deadline of sorts. We don’t need to unpack that right now, but it is something to keep in mind.
For me, the most important update is that there are active conversations between Jaylon Johnson’s reps and the Bears. Johnson has been vocal about wanting to sign an extension to stay with Chicago. Plus Johnson switching representation in the offseason had us holding out hope that the two sides would successfully cut a deal. Johnson has kept lines of communication open, even going as far as to not rule out an extension before Week 1. It didn’t happen. But that sides are still discussing things now feels like a good sign. Hopefully, things continue moving in the right direction.
