On a day when the Bears have made one major addition, they do not appear poised to subtract significantly from their roster. Chicago is expected to retain cornerback Jaylon Johnson, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. 
[RELATED: Bears Acquire Montez Sweat From Commanders]
Johnson’s already-murky future with the Bears saw a notable development earlier today when he was given permission to seek a trade. To no surprise, interest in the 24-year-old picked up with the 49ers and Bills among the team conducting trade talks on a potential Johnson swap. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune notes that the Bears put a high price on Johnson, which has no doubt limited how willing contenders have been to acquire him.
The former second-rounder is in a contract year, and his financial status is at the heart of the uncertainty surrounding his tenure in the Windy City. Johnson recently indicated that talks on an extension were set to pick up, but no serious ground appears to have been gained in that regard. Any acquiring team would have needed to hand out a lucrative new pact upon his arrival, or used the franchise tag on him. The latter move would carry a cost of roughly $19.5MM in 2024. CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports no in-season extension talks will be held in the wake of a trade not materializing.
Johnson and his camp may very well have used the past few hours to gauge his market with respect to his value on a second contract. No serious suitors emerging could be a sign he is not viewed as being worth a CB1-level investment, though the depth in which a potential trade was discussed is not currently known. On that point, the Bills made an “aggressive attempt” for the Utah alum, per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz. For the time being, Johnson – who has remained an anchor of the Bears’ secondary and recorded a pair of interceptions and four pass deflections this year – can continue his fourth season in Chicago knowing he will close out the campaign there ahead of what will no doubt be an interesting offseason in his case.
Poles belongs in CCDOC for these atrocities, Johnson is goin to walk or holdout, we will again have traded a 2nd round pick to be absolutely horrible and Sweat can walk or holdout too, Kevin Warren needs to clean house and take all decision making away from anyone besides him for the rest of this season before we force fields to play through an injury to finish 6-11 and ruin his thumb forever
Take a breath. I don’t think they make that deal without a structure in place to sign Sweat long-term. They will have the cap space to do that. They are paying a second rounder to secure his services for at least the next 3 years beyond this season. Sweat is the number 3 ranked DL this season and has been a consistent producer. I don’t think anyone was giving them more for Johnson than what his compensatory pick value would be if he walks.
What makes you think Kevin Warren knows how to GM?
Truly, too many knee jerk overreactions on here. Johnson wasn’t going anywhere. He probly overvalues himself and they have the rest of the season to evaluate. He’s a solid cover corner but he has missed a lot of action and doesn’t generate turnovers. They don’t have to overpay him now.
He is top 3 against the run at the edge position. That is very different than being a top 3 overall defensive lineman
Sweat is tied for 8th in sacks with 6.5 in 8 games. If he is also ranked 3rd against the run, the stats probably aren’t lying that he is a top 3 DL.
The Bears need help all across the D-line. Sweat makes them better wherever they put him.
Why would the Bears want to make a smart move? They are, after all, the Bears.
Fields is garbage. The Sweat deal is a head scratcher and if they don’t extend him that will make it look even worse. The Bears are in rough shape.
Fields is probably a top 12 QB when used correctly. Is he Mahomes, not even close, but he is still better than half of the guys starting at QB right now. He is far, far from garbage.
I don’t get why people are confused by the Sweat deal. One of The bears biggest needs is a pass rusher, so they got one.
Because a 2-5 team doesn’t spend a 2 on a guy that’s a free agent after the season unless you’re guaranteed to sign him long term.
Well obviously if Sweat leaves in free agency it’s a major eff up, but I’m thinking of it like this. It’s one pick for one player, and no one that is available at that spot in the draft is going to be as good as Sweat. I would’ve been a little upset if they had given multiple picks away for him, but (assuming they extend him) “drafting” Montez Sweat 35th(ish) overall is a steal
Poles had to have made this trade knowing they were going to sign Sweat to a contract. No way he makes this trade not knowing if he could sign him or not. If he did then he deserves to be fired but I feel talks have already started on signing Sweat to a 3 or 4 year contract.
Now Johnson is another story. Sometimes it’s not always the GM’s fault. I’d like to know what has been offered to Johnson and what he’s asking. That way we get a better feel for who’s the fool.
I thought you were supposed to build around a 24 year old, highly drafted, at an important position. Especially when you have over $100m of cap room.
Oddly run team.
Sweat is 27, in his prime, and has produced every year to a very good level. He might not be great, but those aren’t going to be available. I think it is smart to go get him versus taking a 50/50 on a second round pick. DE is also a very important position. Poles addressed a major need. Not sure how they are oddly run. That is usually reserved for the Raiders.
I’m talking about letting the CB talk to other teams. Lock him and sweat up and then you’re building your line and DB.
As for Sweat, we’ll see. You have to look good when you have three other 1st round picks on the same line as you.
True on Sweat, but worth the gamble when you have nothing at that position. Johnson probably overvalues himself, so they let him talk to other teams to find that out. Letting him talk and agreeing to a trade are two different things. This probably helps them, or maybe not, but does not hurt them. I believe the gamble on Sweat is worth it. Hell, I probably would have been good with a second and a third for Sweat and Young. They have the cap space to lock them both up and then you have a pass rush from both sides.
Agree with Poles here. Jaylon is mid. Sure he’s PFF’s #3 CB right now, but Bears have 4 of the Top 20 CBs: Stevenson #9, Gordon #14, Terell Smith #18. The Top 20 is also littered with CBs on bad teams, which makes you wonder if PFF overrates CBs who face a ton of targets. Former Bear Kendall Fuller/WAS is #2. Cor’Dale Flott/NYG(who?) is #5. 32 yo Troy Hill/CAR is #6.
Also, Jaylon was #67 out of 118 qualified CBs last year. Long story short, don’t overpay a contract year outlier. Pay Jaylon $12-15m/yr, not top of the CB market.