Jaylon Johnson: Chicago Bears cornerback seeks trade

Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson has requested a trade as contract extension talks have been slow.

Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson has expressed his desire for a trade, and the team has granted him permission to explore other options, according to a report from ESPN. This news comes just before the NFL trade deadline at 3 p.m. on Tuesday. Johnson recently stated that contract extension talks with the Bears have been progressing slower than expected. While Bears general manager Ryan Poles is not obligated to extend Johnson's contract before the deadline, if he believes that a deal will not be reached in the future, the team may look to acquire draft capital.

Johnson, who is currently in the final year of his rookie contract, has been vocal about his desire for an extension from the Bears for several months. When asked about his goals last week, he emphasized the importance of "security." He explained that he is not simply looking for any offer, but rather seeking respect and long-term stability.

At 24 years old, Johnson is considered the Bears' top cornerback. Despite only recording two interceptions in his career, both of which came in a game against the Las Vegas Raiders on October 22, he prides himself on his ability to shut down opposing team's top receivers. Throughout his four seasons, he has accumulated 35 passes defended, 143 tackles, and three forced fumbles in 45 games. However, he has also dealt with injuries and illnesses that have caused him to miss several games each year, including six games last season.

In recent years, Poles has focused on building depth at the cornerback position through the draft, selecting players such as Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, and Terell Smith. Despite this, the Bears have consistently expressed their value for Johnson, with coach Matt Eberflus praising his work ethic and improvement during training camp. Eberflus commended Johnson's ability to stick with receivers during routes and make plays on the ball, noting that he has become more effective in terms of interceptions and tackling.

This trade request marks the second time in just over a year that a Bears player has publicly expressed their desire to be traded. In 2022, linebacker Roquan Smith took to social media to request a trade after contract negotiations did not go as he had hoped. As a result, Poles traded Smith to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for second- and fifth-round draft picks in 2023, as well as linebacker A.J. Klein. Smith went on to sign a lucrative five-year, $100 million deal with the Ravens and was named an All-Pro last season. In response, the Bears signed linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to a four-year, $72 million contract with $50 million guaranteed during the offseason.