The Chicago Bears have a 2-3 record thus far in the 2022 season, but there hasn’t been too much to get excited about. They have yet to see progress from Justin Fields, as the supporting cast around the young starting quarterback has been underwhelming, to say the least.
Chicago currently sports the least explosive passing offense in the NFL, but they have had a very good running game. Fields is adept at using his legs while David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert are a great duo at the running back position.
Defensively, it has been the opposite. Chicago is a sieve when it comes to stopping the run as teams are running the ball against them with ease. Through the air, however, the Bears have gotten the job done. Surprisingly, that has come without their best cornerback, Jaylon Johnson.
The 2020 second-round pick out of Utah hasn’t been on the field since Week 2 as he was dealing with a quad injury. Johnson was confident entering the season that he was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL and he showcased that in the first two weeks of the season.
Johnson allowed only one catch for nine yards on 63 coverage snaps in the first two games of the season. After missing three games, it sounds as if the Bears will be getting their budding shutdown cornerback in the lineup.
Johnson has been a full participant in practice for two days this week, putting him on track to return to the lineup against the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football. His return came at a good time as the Commanders’ passing offense features a lot of weapons.
Terry McClaurin and Curtis Samuel lead the way with rookie Jahan Dotson questionable for the game. If Dotson doesn’t go, Dyami Brown, who caught two touchdowns in Week 5 filling in for him, would get the nod.
While Carson Wentz has been erratic at times during the season, there is some good talent on that Commanders’ offense. Getting Johnson back in the lineup will help the Bears slow them down and work toward snapping their two-game losing streak and getting back to the .500 mark.
