Jaylon Johnson won’t be leaving Chicago anytime soon. The young Pro Bowl cornerback agreed to a new contract with the Chicago Bears right before he was set to hit the open market in NFL free agency.
A Look at Jaylon Johnson’s Contract Details
As first reported by Bleacher Report NFL insider Jordan Schultz Thursday, Johnson and the Bears reached an agreement on a new four-year deal.
But it’s not just any deal worth four more years in the Windy City. Here’s what else comes with Johnson’s new contract:
- Up to $76 million total
- guaranteed $54.4 million
- $28 million guaranteed in first year
Schultz adds that the $28 million coming to Johnson ranks second among NFL cornerbacks.
Johnson was eligible for a new deal after playing the final year of his rookie deal. That contract was a four-year, $6.4 million deal after being drafted No. 50 overall in 2020. Johnson then played 2023 on the franchise tag amount of $19.8 million.
Now, he becomes one of the league’s wealthiest cornerbacks.
Significance of Johnson Returning to the Bears
Johnson was considered to be a highly-coveted free agent for his position.
PFN ranked Johnson as the league’s top free agent cornerback ahead of the 2024 period. And Johnson was in a class of free agent CBs that included back-to-back Super Bowl winner L’Jarius Sneed, Kendall Fuller, and 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore.
Johnson, though, has put together a resume that has many believing he’s the league’s premier shutdown cornerback.
The Fresno, Calif. native was given the top ranking in coverage DVOA (Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average) by NFL analyst Aaron Schatz.
Johnson is additionally coming off a career-best four interceptions after producing just one pick through his first three years in the league. Opposing NFL teams, however, noticeably tried to throw the ball away from Johnson’s side, which explains the low interception numbers.
Johnson gets lauded more for his ability to play a physical style at the line of scrimmage as a bump-and-run CB. But he’s got the hip-sinking ability to remain latched to his wide receiver assignment, leading to forced incompletions or quarterbacks taking sacks due to Johnson’s coverage.
The 24-year-old did not allow more than 50 receiving yards on his side throughout the 2023 season. He also surrendered no more than five catches against wide receivers in any game he played — including delivering eight games when opposing WRs were limited to two receptions or less while facing Johnson.
KEEP READING: 2024 Free Agents by Position
Outside of picks and limiting catches/yards, Johnson broke up 10 passes, forced one fumble, and collected 36 total tackles.
Johnson joins EDGE Montez Sweat (four years, $98 million) and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (four years, $72 million) as rich Bear signings at all three levels of the Chicago defense.
Every move. Every team. Don’t miss a thing with PFN’s NFL Free Agency Tracker.
