Heartbreak: The greatest Chicago Bears of all time have terminated his contract to sign a new contract.
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson of the Chicago Bears has inked a massive contract extension that will make him one of the top paid players in his position. The story was initially reported by Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report.
According to Schultz, the four-year contract is for $76 million with a $54.4 million guarantee. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that $28 million is guaranteed in the first year, making up $43.8 million of the total guaranteed at signing. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Johnson would earn $60 million during the first three years of the contract.
That works up to $19 million annually, which is marginally less than the $19.8 million he would have gotten from a franchise tag.
Formerly selected in the second round in 2020, Johnson is coming off a breakthrough year with Chicago, where he became an NFL top cover cornerback and set a career best with four interceptions, 36 tackles, and 10 pass breakups in 14 games. Johnson’s outstanding 2023 season won him his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections.
Resigning Ryan Poles, the general manager, made Johnson a top priority this offseason. Johnson was one of the team’s greatest and most crucial players and a major factor in Chicago’s defense’s success in the closing stages.
While Poles was back at the NFL Scouting Combine, he informed reporters that the team was working to extend Johnson’s contract; talks were proceeding well, and there was hope for a new agreement. In addition, Poles stated that, despite what actually transpired earlier this week, he did not intend to use the franchise tag. However, it only took two days to complete the arrangement.
With Johnson signed through 2027, the Bears have an exceptional core of cornerbacks that also includes Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, the defensive rookie of the year for Chicago, and Terell Smith, another outstanding rookie.
