Bears CB Jaylon Johnson eyes trade deadline to settle contract extension
CHICAGO (CBS) – Two weeks ago, the Bears secondary was finally healthy. This week, safety Eddie Jackson was limited in practice with a nagging foot injury while illness has kept fellow safety Jaquan Brisker sidelined.
CBS 2’s Matt Zahn had the latest on a healthy Bears cornerback who is waiting for a bid payday, be it in Chicago or elsewhere.
Jaylon Johnson is coming off maybe his best game as a professional, and he made it clear he wants a new contract extension. Johnson is in the final year of his rookie deal and pointed to next Tuesday’s trade deadline as a bit of a cutoff to get a new deal done.
“We’re going to see by the end of this weekend,” he said. “I know at the end of the day it’s he said, she said, we’re in talks, not in talks. At the end of the day, we’re going to see if something gets done by the trade deadline. If I happen to get traded, then I get traded. If not, then I get extended, hopefully, and if not, then I just got to continue to play. There’s plenty of options that this can go in, but we’re all going to see. I’m waiting to see as well.”
Johnson said he’s looking for security and respect. He wouldn’t get into specifics about money, but added he wouldn’t say the Bears gave him an offer he didn’t like.
Zahn: “Are you happy with the way talks have gone?”
Johnson: “It’s, I feel, has been slower than what I would have expected. Of course, I would want something as early as possible heading into the season. I’m not really caught up in exactly how I want it, but just hope it plays out the way it needs to.”
Johnson made it clear that the contract talk and looming trade deadline aren’t weighing on him. He said, “I sleep great at night.”
Bears QB Tyson Bagent’s surprising ascent to starting role amid Justin Fields injury perfect explained by Mike Tirico
The Chicago Bears might be in last place at 2-5, but they are heading into Week 8 with a burst of rejuvenation following a triumphant debut for undrafted quarterback Tyson Bagent last Sunday. With Justin Fields sidelined (dislocated thumb), the former Division II star stepped into the starting role and emerged victorious, 30-12, over the visiting Las Vegas Raiders.
It is easy to get caught up in all the hoopla after so much futility and QB struggles these past several years. Although Bagent averaged just 5.6 yards per completion, he was accurate (21-of-29), found the end zone and took care of the ball. That might not make for the most compelling underdog story, but it is more than suitable for the Bears.
NBC Sports broadcaster Mike Tirico further touched on the unheralded signal-caller’s emergence and explained how one cannot just blindly put all their faith in the NFL Draft.
“If you go back to the 2018, 2019 draft, you’re gonna see approximately 55 percent of the guys hit,” he told Mark Carman of Football Night in Chicago. “They’re good players. They’re starters for five, or six years in the NFL. And about 45% wash out and aren’t very good. It’s an inexact science at every position, especially in the first round.”
Cue the Captain Obvious retorts. Fans are well-aware of the misjudgements made in scouting reports, but Tirico underscores just how difficult it is to select a viable player. It is a significantly more grueling task to find a franchise quarterback. Just ask the Bears.
Tyson Bagent might come crashing down to earth this Sunday night against the Los Angeles Chargers and never make a meaningful impression again. Or, he could unfathomably carve out a lasting role on a team that desperately needs stability. Justin Fields will do everything he can to ensure that this fairytale doesn’t extend into the winter, but this hype train might be tough to derail.
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