Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson has always kept his contract situation top of mind ever since coming into the league. From 2023 when he was the subject of trade talks to the summer of 2025 when he discussed possibly doing a new deal after he signed his four-year extension during the spring of 2024, Johnson has never wavered when talking about his future in the league. Now prior to the 2026 season, Johnson eyes a new payday and understands this could be his last season in Chicago.
On Saturday, Johnson met with the media and was asked about 2026 being a pivotal season with the explosion in deals for cornerbacks in recent years. Johnson didn't hesitate with his answer. "It's definitely a contract year," he said. "We all know with the cap
hit and all that stuff. It's definitely a contract year for me, so at the end of the day, whether that's here or somewhere else, I've got to put it on tape that I am still a top guy in this league."
Johnson is set to make $24 million in 2026, which is the second-highest total among cornerbacks for this upcoming season, trailing only Marlon Humphrey of the Baltimore Ravens. But as Johnson alluded to, he has no remaining guaranteed money after this season and can be cut next offseason to save $16 million. If 2026 is a repeat of what happened in 2025, then that decision will be easy for the Bears.
Last year, Johnson dealt with groin injuries that caused him to miss two months of games. When he returned to action in late November, Johnson was a shell of himself and played through pain to help the Bears capture the NFC North and return to the postseason for the first time since his rookie year. Now that he's fully healthy, though, Johnson is eyeing a third big contract.
"I'm not a dummy. I structured my deal a certain way to put myself back at the table at the age of 27," Johnson said. "For me, it was always for this point to get here and then show out and do what I do and be healthy and be out there doing what I do best. That's covering, that's making plays, and being a difference maker. And then from there, wherever that contract talk goes, it goes."
Johnson is out to show he's still the lockdown, Pro Bowl-caliber player at his position, like he showed in 2023 and 2024. And his play will go a long way in helping a Bears defense that, outside of takeaways, was very beatable for much of last season. If he plays like one of the best cornerbacks in the game, we could see a push by Johnson to get a new deal. If he falters, then we'll be looking at him as a prime cut candidate next offseason. It's a tricky situation, but one Johnson clearly isn't afraid to address.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears CB Jaylon Johnson gets candid about his contract situation
