Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson entering critical Year 3 with something to prove

Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson entering critical Year 3 with something to prove
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson entering critical Year 3 with something to prove By Kevin Fishbain and Adam Jahns May 18, 2022

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Bears coach Matt Eberflus was asked a question about whether cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon can develop together in his system. And his answer became a message sent.

“(We’re) coaching those guys; they play the same position,” Eberflus said. “Kyler’s been lighting it up the last two days. I’ll just tell you that. The guy’s got tremendous ball skills. He’s been playing the defense the right way and we’re very impressed with him. I’ll just tell you that. And he’s doing a good job the first two days. We’ll see where it goes. He’s young. He’s got a lot to learn, but we’re excited where he is with his ball-hawking skills. No question.”

An earlier answer about Johnson made Eberflus’ praise of Gordon, the 39th pick this year, feel even stronger.

“Jaylon, you know a young player, is still a work in progress,” Eberflus said Tuesday. “He’s got some things he’s got to work on just like all the rest of those guys that are second- and third-year players. They’ve all got to work on stuff. Just ah, just keep working and we’ll see where he goes.”

Johnson wasn’t at the Bears’ voluntary veteran minicamp last month, but he practiced Tuesday at OTAs at Halas Hall, which meant we got to hear from the third-year cornerback for the first time since the new staff took over.

“It’s a complete reset,” he said. “Everything I’ve done in the past with the other coaches, with the other staff, I mean, it really doesn’t mean anything too much. I mean, the film is not going to lie to you. But at the end of the day, they want me to show them what I can do in person moving forward.”

The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain and Adam Jahns share their thoughts about Johnson under the new regime.

Fishbain: There’s been a distinct difference in the way the Bears’ brass talks about one third-year player from the previous regime, wide receiver Darnell Mooney, and Johnson. Both players are from the 2020 draft class. Both play premium positions. Both have shown flashes of being very good, long-term starters in this league. But it does seem like they’re sold on Mooney and need to see more from Johnson. Johnson is very self-aware. He understands the situation. But he’s also quite important to this team having success in the short term and long term.

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Jahns: Great observation about Mooney, Fishman. Eberflus also has praised other holdovers. That starts with Fields, Mooney and linebacker Roquan Smith, but it also includes running back David Montgomery, who is in the final year of his rookie contract. Here’s what Eberflus said about Montgomery at the NFL owners’ meetings: “Yeah, talk about motor and mean. Serious. A pro. Worker. And, yeah, he’s going to be exciting to work with, and he’s going to fit right in.” It’s clear that Eberflus — who also gave a lengthy answer about looking for leaders for his team — is trying to figure out where Johnson fits on and off the field.

Fishbain: Johnson was asked what he needs to show in the next few weeks. His response? Work ethic. “I feel like just kind of earning that respect as a hard worker and doing extra work,” he said. “Because I mean right now I feel like it’s not too much about production. I feel like it’s just really about knowing your assignment and playing hard.” It’s not like Johnson’s going to lose his starting job, but so much of this season is figuring out who is going to be part of the foundation of this team. Based on his age (23), position and skill set, I’m sure the Bears would love for Johnson to be in that conversation, but Eberflus was careful. He said tape is one thing, however, he has to learn more about Johnson on the field. “I’ve got to see time on task, I’ve got to see the guy cover, I’ve got to see how he takes his angles, you know, how he plays on the ball, I’ve got to see all those things before we’re going to start diving into the details of that, coaching him,” he said.

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Jahns: Shouldn’t being “a hard worker” and doing that “extra work” turn into production in some form on the field? I’m pretty sure we all saw Gordon pick off a pass during the open practice. Johnson said that the biggest difference between the Bears’ previous scheme and this one under Eberflus is that he’ll have eyes more on the quarterback. He needs to make more plays. He broke up 24 passes over his first two seasons, but he made only one interception. You’re right in thinking that the Bears have a long-term evaluation in place for Johnson and others on the roster. It’s almost time to talk more about tight end Cole Kmet. But right now, Johnson is the one under the microscope after skipping voluntary minicamp and Eberflus’ comments.

Fishbain: And I think Johnson knows it. He’s one of the more thoughtful players we talk to, and that came out in a slightly awkward back-and-forth with a reporter about last year’s passing defense. Johnson pointed to a lot of mental errors last season, but whether he likes it or not, the Davante Adams catch-and-run at Soldier Field probably is one of the first that comes to mind for many when they think back to Year 2 for Johnson. He did have the tough task of following No. 1 receivers, a job he embraced. Now it’s going to be a collaborative effort from Johnson, and this staff, to parlay his skill set into more plays on the ball. The Bears have one long-term cornerback in Gordon. They’d be in pretty good shape if they know by the end of this season they’ve got the duo.

(Photo: Justin K. Aller / Getty Images)

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