From second-round draft pick to a $76 million cornerstone of the Chicago Bears
In short: In 2020, analysts projected Jaylon Johnson would be a mid-round selection. Fast forward four years, and the cornerback has transformed into one of the NFL's highest-valued defenders, securing a massive contract extension and proving his elite coverage capabilities.
Jaylon Johnson’s ascent began at the University of Utah, where he transitioned from a reserve player in 2017 to a First-team All-Pac-12 Conference selection by 2019. His collegiate performance caught the attention of NFL scouts, with Pro Football Focus ranking him as the 24th overall cornerback in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Chicago Bears ultimately selected him in the second round, 50th overall, alongside fellow rookie Kindle Vildor.
His professional career has been defined by both elite production and physical resilience. During his 2021 sophomore season, Johnson achieved the highest-rated pass coverage grade in the league through the first two weeks. However, his path has not been without setbacks; he has navigated significant injuries, including a shoulder injury in 2020, a quadriceps injury in 2022, and a broken right ring finger that landed him on injured reserve that same year. He also faced a period of demotion to backup status in 2022 following a period of inactivity during the offseason.
The 2023 season marked a definitive peak in his individual performance. Johnson recorded a career-high 90.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, leading all cornerbacks in coverage grade with 91.0. His season was highlighted by four interceptions and a touchdown return against the Las Vegas Raiders. This dominance led to his first Pro Bowl selection. Following the use of the franchise tag in early 2024, Johnson signed a massive four-year, $76 million contract extension, cementing his role as a central figure in the Bears' defense as he transitioned to wearing number 1.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Jaylon Johnson
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