Last year, the Chicago Bears got only 7 regular-season games from Jaylon Johnson (and both postseason games), but I don’t think he was 100% in any of them. His offseason was hampered by a groin injury, and then during his first game (week 2 vs. the Lions), he suffered a different groin injury, this one requiring core muscle surgery. He came off injured reserve two months later, but was eased back into the lineup, playing less than 70% of the defensive reps the remainder of the season. The Bears used
him a bit more in the playoffs (83%), but he didn’t look like the same guy who was a second-team All-Pro and a two-time Pro Bowler.
The Bears managed to get by with a patchwork secondary a season ago, but they need their best cornerback healthy as they look to return to the postseason.
Johnson, who has normally spent the voluntary portion of the offseason working out on his own, was at Halas Hall this year for some of the OTAs.
“I appreciate him being here now with his teammates and getting to know them,” head coach Ben Johnson said. “We have a lot of new faces in the building.”
There’s a new starting safety tandem behind Jaylon, so finding some early continuity could be key for Dennis Allen’s defense to get off to a fast start.
Jaylon said mid-June that he’s still working to get back to 100%, and around the same time, Ben Johnson talked about Jaylon getting back to where they need him to be.
“His mind is probably getting more confident in terms of the movements he’s making,” Ben said. “He’s a vital part of what we want to do. He’s been a Pro Bowl-caliber player in the past, and hopefully we can get that out of him this year.”
The Bears believe stickier coverage could help their pass rush, and a healthy Jaylon Johnson is the best cover corner they have.
Veterans report to training camp in three weeks, and Johnson is ready to show the NFL what he’s capable of.
“I’m just looking forward to this season,” Johnson said, via CHGO, “and really just reminding a lot of people who I am and I’m one of the best guys to play this game.”
