Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson is ready to be one of many prime free brokers to hit the open market this offseason, and it feels like cash goes to play a figuring out think about the place he goes subsequent. In talking on the Professional Bowl on Saturday, Johnson told NFL.com that whereas his coronary heart continues to be in Chicago his thoughts is on cash.
“Coronary heart’s undoubtedly in Chicago, thoughts’s undoubtedly on the cash,” Johnson stated. “So, I imply, we’ll determine if we will make them each come collectively and get one thing executed. I’m wanting ahead to see what’s to return.”
Johnson’s identify surfaced on the commerce block main as much as the NFL commerce deadline this season, however the Bears didn’t transfer him. He ended up having an enormous 12 months with 36 whole tackles, 10 passes defended and 4 interceptions in 14 video games. That efficiency earned him second-team All-Professional honors and a visit to the Professional Bowl.
It’s comprehensible why cash is on his thoughts as a result of this is likely to be his greatest probability to money in with an enormous contract.
Not solely is he coming off an excellent season, he performs a premium place and continues to be very a lot within the prime of his profession. He can be 25 on opening day subsequent season and will nonetheless have a number of elite years in entrance of him for the crew that finally ends up signing him.
Bears common supervisor Ryan Poles has additionally stated he intends to have Johnson taking part in in Chicago subsequent season, so the franchise tag might undoubtedly be in play.
The Bears protection completed the season twentieth in factors towards and twelfth in yards towards, however took an enormous step ahead within the second half following the addition of Montez Sweat from Washington. The Bears are additionally coming into the offseason with almost $50 million in salary cap space, a quantity that places them within the top-10 within the NFL. So that they have the flexibleness to not solely hold Johnson, but in addition add extra to their roster.