The Chicago Bears have re-signed cornerback Jaylon Johnson on a four-year, $76 million deal, according to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report.
The deal features $54.4 million in guaranteed money.
It has been a wild ride for Johnson in Chicago over the last five months, but it ultimately ends with the Bears keeping the Pro Bowler in the Windy City for the long haul.
Back in October, Johnson requested a trade, but Chicago was unable to move him before the Oct. 31 deadline. With free agency looming for Johnson, he seemed all but a goner.
However, over the final couple of months of the regular season, Johnson had a change of heart, which probably had something to do with the Bears actually putting forth respectable results.
After beginning the season 0-4, Chicago proceeded to go 7-6 over its last 13 games, which had a lot to do with the Bears’ improving young defense.
One of the best players on that defensive unit was Johnson, who registered 36 tackles, four interceptions, a forced fumble, 10 passes defended and a defensive touchdown in 14 games. That was good enough to earn him the first Pro Bowl appearance of his career.
The 24-year-old then expressed his desire to remain in Chicago after the season was over, and general manager Ryan Poles remained adamant that the two sides would get something done.
Sure enough, the Bears were able to lock up Johnson before free agency began next week.
Johnson, who played his collegiate football at the University of Utah, was selected by Chicago in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
He has been a good cornerback for his entire career, but there is no doubt that 2023 represented a breakout campaign for the Fresno, Ca. native.
And he was just handsomely rewarded for it.
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