After the season, Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson said he fully intended on staying with the Bears. Now, he may be thinking differently.

When asked about his status going into free agency, Johnson appeared to display a change in his approach.

“Heart’s definitely in Chicago, mind’s definitely on the money,” Johnson said, via Grant Gordon of NFL media. “So, I mean, we’ll figure out if we can make them both come together and get something done. I’m looking forward to see what’s to come.”

Johnson will be one of the top defensive players on the market this spring, so he will surely have a long list of suitors. He is also coming off of the best season of his career, so he will likely be compensated accordingly.

The 24-year-old believes he is one of the best cornerbacks in football.

“No doubt. No doubt,” Johnson said. “I think just, like I was saying, just through my career, just continuing to get better, continuing to get better.”

That indicates that Johnson also expects to earn a hefty contract, and if the Bears aren’t willing to offer it to him, he will probably be playing his football elsewhere in 2024.

The good news is that Chicago has ample cap space heading into the offseason, with Spotrac projecting the Bears to have about $49 million available. So, the Bears certainly have the financial wherewithal to re-sign Johnson. It’s just a matter of whether or not they choose to do so.

Johnson played in 14 games this past year, registering 36 tackles, four interceptions, a forced fumble, 10 passes defended and a defensive touchdown en route to his first Pro Bowl selection.

The University of Utah product was selected by Chicago in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

We’ll see if Jaylon Johnson ultimately re-ups with the Bears next month.

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