The Chicago Bears are looking good on the financial front. While they're not swimming in cap space as in years past, the team has a healthy payroll with all their major names locked up to new deals. There are no pressing issues to address at the moment. Credit must be given to GM Ryan Poles for handling these matters with patience and professionalism. His best moment was probably when he secured star cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who, at one point, looked like he might push his way out. Not only did the Bears retain him, but did so at what turned out to be a highly favorable rate.
Last year, his $19 million per year was good enough to put him in the top five among cornerbacks. Thanks to a flurry of deals for names like Patrick Surtain, Jaycee Horn, Sauce Gardner, and A.J. Terrell, that now ranks a distant 13th. Johnson is now easily the biggest bargain in the entire NFL. However, while the Bears are thrilled about this, he might not be. Johnson admitted on The Rich Eisen Show that after seeing the market spike this offseason, he is considering the idea of revisiting his contract.
“Really just seeing a lot of the other corners getting paid. I almost feel like we might have another discussion coming up here soon. The market is moving.”
Jaylon Johnson would not be the first to do this.
Plenty of top players signed deals that were highly valued on the market, only to see prices spike shortly afterward. Many of them raised a fuss, wanting their teams to adjust the deals to better match what they felt they were worth. It sounds like Jaylon Johnson might be planning the same. Whether the Bears listen is another story. He is under contract for another three years through 2027. The organization is under zero obligations to entertain another pay raise. He agreed to the deal and is getting paid a lot of money. They have every right to expect him to honor his contract. Much of this likely hinges on how this coming season plays out. If Johnson has another All-Pro year, he will have enough leverage to bring those demands forward.
