No updates to the cornerback AAV hierarchy came this past offseason. Jaire Alexander‘s $21MM-per-year Packers contract, agreed to in 2022, remains atop the position. Jaylon Johnson wants to change that.
Although Johnson’s trajectory reminds more of Josh Norman‘s in Carolina, with a monster contract year changing the equation, the Bears corner will reenter extension negotiations with a lofty expectation. The four-year Chicago starter believes he deserves to become the NFL’s highest-paid corner.
“Going into the negotiation, I don’t think it’s too much really to talk about. I feel like there’s no reason I can’t be the highest-paid corner in the league,” Johnson said during an interview with Fox Sports’ Keyshawn Johnson (via NBC Sports Chicago’s Josh Schrock). “I feel like that’s what I’m aiming for; that’s what I’m shooting for; that’s what I think can be done and should be done.
The Bears and Johnson were unable to come to terms on an extension before the trade deadline, leading to GM Ryan Poles making the former second-round pick available in trades. Chicago aimed for a first- or second-round pick for the late-blooming defender; that price will probably come up when the sides return to the negotiating table. Still, Johnson’s second-contract aspiration will probably lead to the franchise tag being unholstered.
“I feel like I’ve had a good enough resume from my rookie year until now,” Johnson said. “I feel like really this was just the icing on the cake. I feel like there’s not anything anybody can say. I took the ball away; I got All-Pro; I got Pro Bowl. I mean, what else is there for me to get? I feel like I’m very deserving of the highest paid at the position.
“I’m going to go in and the ball is really in my court. I’m just going to wait for them and come to terms on it and hopefully it’s what I feel I’m deserving of.”
A tag, which would cost Chicago around $18MM, makes more sense than a market-topping extension. While Johnson did earn Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors this season, his resume coming into the seminal contract year does not match up with his 2023 work. Pro Football Focus graded Johnson first overall among corners, and Pro-Football-Reference’s coverage metrics backed that up. After allowing passer ratings (as the closest defender) north of 94 from 2020-22, Johnson checked in with a 50.9 number this season — a four-INT slate. The sudden performance uptick would point to a “prove it” year, should the 24-year-old cover man stick to his guns.
The Bears becoming the first team to use a franchise tag on a corner since the 2017 Rams (Trumaine Johnson) would give them until mid-July to work out an extension. The Panthers tagged Norman in 2016, eventually rescinding the tag and leading him to a record-setting deal with Washington. Although Jaylon Johnson said at multiple points last year he wants to stay in Chicago, he likely will not have a choice. The Bears having the tag as leverage would stand to ensure, barring a tag-and-trade scenario, Johnson would play the 2024 season in the Windy City.
No chance, Fredo…
This will be interesting. With the likes of Surtain and Gardner needing extensions soon, I can see the Bears using the franchise or transition tag. Those two individuals have more achievements under their belt, which will usually drive the price. Plus they are also close in age. So that shouldn’t be a factor. Even if Johnson did get paid more than Alexander, he would be setting the bar for the other two.
Great points.
Yeah good luck with that. He’s more likely to become Roquan Smith than the highest paid CB in the league with the Bears. The Bears always say they want to keep the guy, But then the money gets in the way.
Totally agree with Unclemike. The Bears only spend big on a player if he is as useless as Mike Glennon.
Montez Sweat?
way too many dropped ints from him that could have potentially changed the outcomes of games. great, not elite
He just followed the script and did what he was told. Many Dbs batting away int’s or pretending they have hands of stone these days.
That would explain how Poles was able to extend Sweat immediately but not this Diva.
Sweat got his bag and got a fair deal allowing Poles to have cap space left to add more talent. Johnson obviously doesn’t grasp that.
Now, I say just tag him and let him walk next year and convince another team to overpay him.
They had to sign Sweat they traded a high 2nd for him.
“How ‘bout NO!!”
6 months ago he said he didn’t want to reset the CB market on this new contract. Now he has one very good year and he all of a sudden wants to go back on that and become the highest paid CB.
Franchise tag coming. Bears have some young corners ready. If he sticks to that, franchise tag and bye bye after that.
This is a short-term game. You get your money when you can. I don’t begrudge any of these players in the NFL. That said, I think the Bears will probably use the franchise tag on him which isn’t a bad thing for them. On the other hand, a $30+ million guarantee on a longer deal should be of interest to Johnson for security. If the Bears can’t get a long-term deal worked out, the price will only go up next season if Johnson has another top year due to the Surtain and Gardner extensions upcoming.
Tbh .. inside the division there is only two elite receivers to contend with .. The best bet is for the bears is to set a price and stick to it.. he don’t like it, let him walk and collect the comp pick (which will be at least a round 3).. Rebuilding teams don’t need 20 million dollar corners .. Teams should never tag a player , to quote a great coach “we want volunteers, not hostages” .. if you must keep him then transition tag him .. let the market set his contract and match