It can be difficult to overlook the Chicago Bears’ numbing loss to the Green Bay Packers in the season finale when it was a contest that should have been a lot closer than it turned out to be.
If we can detach ourselves from the Bears’ terrible showing in that game, the team showed a lot of promise in the final eight games of the year. Justin Fields and the offense took massive strides in their ability to keep up with some of the better teams in the league, and the defense was nothing short of dominant.
The strength of that imposing defense was definitely the linebackers and cornerbacks, who both showed great tenacity and a nose for the football. The unit’s best player was veteran cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who had a career year in 2023, snatching four interceptions and deflecting 10 passes. His level of play earned him his first Pro Bowl nod, alongside standout pass rusher Montez Sweat.
Johnson’s future in Chicago was murky despite his elite level of play, as it was unclear whether general manager Ryan Poles wanted to write out a premium paycheck to a player that would undoubtedly demand the top dollar for his position. Johnson had just played out the last year of his rookie deal, so he would have to walk away from Chicago if the team fails to strike a deal.
An air of tension had formed as Johnson’s contract talks trickles into the offseason. A falling out in those talks would be a huge blow to a rising defensive group; much to the relief of Bears fans, Poles remains very confident that he and Johnson will strike a deal.
“Jaylon’s not going to go anywhere,” Poles said Wednesday, where he explained they’ve had good communication and feels good about getting a deal done with negotiations resume.
Poles’ claim comes as a breath of fresh air to a fanbase that hasn’t had much to be excited about. The Bears’ loss to the Packers to end the year, the decision to keep head coach Matt Eberflus for another season and the giant question mark at the quarterback position has instilled a feeling of hopelessness that the Chicago faithful just can’t shake.
A seemingly imminent agreement to keep an All-Pro level cornerback for the foreseeable future will be the team’s first big win of the offseason.