Jaylon Johnson is one of the most promising cornerbacks in the NFL today. In the 2023-24 season, he broke out with four interceptions (one of them returned for a touchdown) and a forced fumble to go with 36 tackles (31 solo) and ten pass breakups.
That earned him an All-Pro selection a Pro Bowl appearance, and a four-year, $76-million extension with the Chicago Bears during the offseason. But it was surprisingly not enough to land him in the 2024 Top 100 over the likes of Aaron Rodgers, who managed to hit 92nd even though an Achilles injury in his debut with the New York Jets ended his campaign early.
Speaking to reporters during Sunday practice, an annoyed Johnson said:
“It’s bull****. There ain’t no way. I don’t know how you make Pro Bowl, All-Pro and not [be] a Top 100 guy. I could’ve been 101 I guess, but goddamn, Aaron Rodgers didn’t even play in the season and he was voted.
It’s disrespectful because I go out there, line up and I know receivers go out there and can’t say that I’m not one of best players that they play against.”
However, he promised to use the snub as motivation to play better:
“It is what it is. At the end of the day, I know the truth. And it’s okay. I got some more for ’em.”
The Bears did have two players on the list: defensive end Montez Sweat at 82nd and wide receiver Keenan Allen at 51st.
Jaylon Johnson discusses first impressions of rookie DE Austin Booker
Speaking of defensive ends, the Bears have another potential impact player at the position in rookie Austin Booker. And already, Jaylon Johnson is liking what he sees in him.
In that same media scrum, he said (starts at 0:20 in the embedded video):
“He definitely has it physically. He definitely has the tools, has a good knack for (the) pass rush. Just observing him on the back end, I would just say it’s more of the details. That’s the hardest thing to learn – being able to communicate with the line, being on one accord.
He can make a lot of plays, just gotta continue the progress, learning the playbook.”
The Bears defeated the Houston Texans 21-17 at Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game. Heavy rain caused a complete cessation of play with over three minutes left to play.
They will next visit the Buffalo Bills on August 10.q
