The Chicago Bears have broken out for the summer. Left to “get away from football” as Ben Johnson would put it. However, it is important to remember how big this year is for several Bears. Namely, Jayl0n Johnson is a candidate in need of a breakthrough once again. Hurt most of last year and not being able to return to form when he came back definitely hurt the Bears some. Since the Bears didn’t really address the pass rush either, it is important that he returns to form in 2026.
Jaylon Johnson Needs to Return to All-Pro Form
No mistake about it, most teams need a few of their players to be stars to gain success in this league. A great to even a good quarterback, a dominant pass rusher or pass rush, a top wide receiver or tight end, and then a lockdown corner. The lockdown corner is important because it should theoretically help take away the opposing team’s top weapon. The Bears thought they had this when Jaylon Johnson came in. Drafted in 2020 in the 2nd round because of a shoulder issue, Johnson, like most rookies, struggled in his first season in the league.
Johnson has also struggled with injuries, as he has only played in one full season. His best season in the league came in 2023, when he allowed the third-lowest passer rating when targeted. It was also good for a 90.8 Pro Football Focus score. That year also saw him rack in a career high 4 interceptions. 2024 was a slight dip, but still was highly effective. A core muscle injury in the offseason that lingered into the regular season saw him limited to 7 games total.
That 2023 season also saw his first Pro Bowl selection and a 2nd team All-Pro selection. Combined with his play, along with the mid-season trade of Montez Sweat, that helped spark a late-season push that ultimately ended at 7-10, it showed that the Bears had another lockdown corner. However, it wasn’t without an impasse when Johnson requested a trade from Chicago in the middle of that 2023 season because he felt the Bears were undervaluing him. Johnson himself admitted that his mind was on other things after the 2023-24 season ended.
2025 Season Struggle
A new head coach was brought into the building to shift the culture and energy. Ben Johnson, coming over from the back-to-back NFC North division champ Detroit Lions, was the first big step in the process. What castover players, as most of the guys on the roster, were when it comes to new coaches is that they leave an impression. Johnson is extremely hard-working and talented, but athletes can’t always have things go right. Sure enough, the problems began very early.
Jaylon Johnson came into the season clearly banged up. Dealing with countless soft tissue issues like groin and core muscle injuries. He missed all of training camp, preseason, and the Bears’ season opener. He returned in week 2 vs Detroit, but reaggravated the injuries that he had to get surgery. Out indefinitely and seeing how the Bears’ success fueled him to return, Jaylon Johnson did so against the Philadelphia Eagles on Black Friday. However, it was clear in his play that he wasn’t fully 100% out there and truly was not his past self.
That is all to say that having a healthy Jaylon Johnson is a big deal. Look no further than last week during Bears minicamp. He intercepted two of quarterback Caleb Williams‘ passes. That shows that his instincts and IQ are still where they need to be. After all, it isn’t just Johnson who needs to come out with a big 2026 season.
It is gonna take a lot of improvement from both the offense and defense. Such is nature when the calendar year flips to a new season in September. To get to a spot that they want to be in, though, it is gonna be all about health, and one of those important chess pieces is Jaylon Johnson. Can he regain his previous form? My money is still gonna be on yes.
Main Image: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
