Bears and Pro Bowl CB Jaylon Johnson agree to a four-year, $76 million contract extension.
CHICAGO (AP)— The Chicago Bears and Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson agreed on Thursday to a four-year, $76 million contract that guarantees him $54.4 million.
Two sources familiar with the situation confirmed the financial terms of the agreement, which was first reported by the NFL Network. The people spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the terms had not been announced.
“We’re extremely excited to be able to keep Jaylon here for the next four years,” general manager Ryan Poles said in an announcement. “He’s an integral part of our defence and his leadership will help our team continue to ascend.”
The move comes two days after the Bears applied the franchise tag to Johnson. He would have owed $19.8 million in 2024 if he had not agreed to the extension before the July 15 deadline. He had stated that he wanted to remain with the Bears.
Johnson, who turns 25 in April, had four interceptions and returned one for a touchdown last season after intercepting just one pass in his first three years. He was named to the second-team All-Pro after defending 10 passes and forcing one fumble.
Despite their early struggles, the Bears’ defence ranked 12th in the NFL. Chicago ranked 25th against the pass.
Poles believed the sides were close to a contract extension following an Oct. 29 meeting in Los Angeles, where the Bears faced the Chargers. That changed the next day, when Johnson’s representatives expressed an interest in a possible trade. Johnson was given the opportunity to shop around before the Oct. 31 deadline and was surprised that he did not get dealt.
Johnson’s bargaining position probably improved as the season progressed, as he had four interceptions in his last ten games. He made one pick in his first 43 games.
Chicago went 7-10 last season. The Bears have the first and ninth overall picks in the draft next month.
