As the 4 p.m. ET NFL trade deadline on Tuesday approaches, the Chicago Bears are making one of their best young players available.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Bears have given cornerback Jaylon Johnson permission to seek a trade. Through the first eight weeks of the 2023 season, the 24-year-old Johnson ranks as the NFL’s third-best cornerback according to Pro Football Focus.
Selected out of Utah in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the two-time first-team All-Pac 12 selection is currently in the fourth and final season of his rookie contract. The Bears’ willingness to allow him to seek a trade would seemingly indicate that the two sides are currently far apart on an extension, and thus, Chicago would rather trade him than risk losing him for nothing in the offseason.
“The player and team negotiated a new contract last week but couldn’t come close to a deal,” Fowler reported. “So, a talented corner is now available.”
#Bears corner Jaylon Johnson has requested a trade, per source. Chicago granted permission to search for a new home before today’s trade deadline. The player and team negotiated a new contract last week but couldn’t come close to a deal. So, a talented corner is now available. pic.twitter.com/XCU5EsZqF2
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 31, 2023
Appearing in 45 games over the course of his career, Johnson has tallied 143 tackles, three interceptions and 35 pass defenses. In six games this season, he has recorded four pass defenses and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Considering his age, skill and position, Johnson is sure to be one of the most attractive trade targets on this year’s market — although acquiring him likely won’t be cheap. Shortly after Fowler first reported the news of the Bears making their young star cornerback available, many took to social media to weigh in.
Ryan Poles is just gonna hope his cornerback draft picks work out instead of paying one that has already shown he can play.
Refusing to pay veteran homegrown talent leaves a team in a constant state of rebuilding. https://t.co/wlOKuBiDEl
— Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. (@wiltfongjr) October 31, 2023
Let me get this straight. The Bears have (by far) the most cap room heading into 2024 but refuse to extend one of their top players?
This will not be good for the locker room. https://t.co/Q4kV60qVu7
— Justin Fields Fan Club (@JustinFieldsFC) October 31, 2023
I respect Ryan Poles’ general approach to contact negotiations, but I don’t kno how he plans to build a good team if he continues to get rid of all his good players. @NBAxJay1 is not only a good player, he’s a leader on that team, and this will reverberate throughout that locker… https://t.co/remZJKJIYx
— Herb Howard (@HerbHoward411) October 31, 2023
The last time the Bears won back to back games, the head coach was Matt Nagy. https://t.co/7t67jBPqWR
— Leila Rahimi (@leilarahimi) October 31, 2023
John Lynch getting ready to do his due diligence pic.twitter.com/F3meOJiWUA https://t.co/S7424ZOfyU
— 🦏 (@SadNinersFan) October 31, 2023
At a certain point, Ryan Poles actually has to reward current players. He’s extended one player so far & now it appears another top player wants out… #Bears https://t.co/acqNOcVFMA
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) October 31, 2023
Bad franchise does bad things
I could understand some of the trading of older players but this one would be a head scratcher. What a joke we are https://t.co/susEdCErI1
— DaWindyCity Productions (@dwcprodz) October 31, 2023
This is officially my first real issue with Ryan Poles after the Eberflus hire. Consider my confidence in him officially shaken. https://t.co/LoBzCNInF2
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 31, 2023
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.