CHI Jaylon Johnson
Chicago Bears cornerback. Two-time Pro Bowler and 2023 second-team All-Pro, sidelined by soft tissue injury during 2025 season.
Quick Facts
- Position: CB (Cornerback)
- Team: CHI (Chicago Bears)
- Career highlights: 2x Pro Bowler, 2023 second-team All-Pro
- Age: 27 (entering 2026)
2026 Outlook
Jaylon Johnson fell out of ESPN's Top 10 cornerback rankings for the first time in three years after missing most of the 2025 season due to a groin injury sustained during private workouts. He missed Week 1 entirely, played only a handful of snaps in Week 2, and was ruled out indefinitely before returning in Week 13. While clearly not at full health during the playoffs, Johnson proved he could still compete at an elite level when available. At 27 years old, Johnson remains on the right side of 30 with time to regain his All-Pro form—if he stays healthy through 2026 training camp. NFL personnel evaluators noted that "time on task has been an issue" due to missed camp and game action, but acknowledged his talent remains elite ("he's got juice when he's full tilt"). A bounce-back healthy season could restore him to the top tier of cornerback conversations (per How Injuries Made Bears' Jaylon Johnson One of NFL's Most Underrated Cornerbacks).
His recovery is progressing ahead of training camp—a foot specialist declared him to be 100% ready in late July. With full availability for camp and the 2026 season, Johnson is positioned to reclaim lockdown corner form and earn top-tier cornerback production (per Chicago Bears 2026 Training Camp Position Breakdown: Cornerback).
Injury Status
- 2025: Groin injury during off-season workouts; missed Week 1, limited Week 2, ruled out indefinitely before returning Week 13
- 2026 Week 1-2: Bounce-back in progress; delivered "shaky performance" in Week 1 at Carolina but positioned for recovery heading into challenging Vikings matchup with Justin Jefferson (per Ben Johnson, Brian Flores match wits as Bears host Vikings)
Recent News
- 2026-10-01 — Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn clash as Bears host Jets (Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn clash as Bears host Jets)
- 2026-09-17 — Ben Johnson, Brian Flores match wits as Bears host Vikings (Ben Johnson, Brian Flores match wits as Bears host Vikings)
- 2026-08-30 — 2026 NFL offseason trade grades: Kaleb Johnson, Gervon Dexter (2026 NFL offseason trade grades: Kaleb Johnson, Gervon Dexter)
- 2026-08-02 — Bears’ Jaylon Johnson: Caleb Williams is the best quarterback I’ve had since Nick Foles (Bears’ Jaylon Johnson: Caleb Williams is the best quarterback I’ve had since Nick Foles)
- 2026-08-01 — Bears CB Johnson views 2026 as 'definitely a contract year' (Bears CB Johnson views 2026 as 'definitely a contract year')
- 2026-07-18 — Why Bears' Jaylon Johnson fell out of top-10 NFL cornerbacks in ESPN poll (Why Bears' Jaylon Johnson fell out of top-10 NFL cornerbacks in ESPN poll)
- 2026-07-10 — Latest injury update on Bears CB Jaylon Johnson ahead of training camp (Latest injury update on Bears CB Jaylon Johnson ahead of training camp)
- 2026-07-07 — How Injuries Made Bears' Jaylon Johnson One of NFL's Most Underrated Cornerbacks (How Injuries Made Bears' Jaylon Johnson One of NFL's Most Underrated Cornerbacks)
- 2026-07-07 — ESPN ranks Johnson as Honorable Mention CB after missing 2025 season; analysts optimistic about 2026 rebound if he stays healthy (How Injuries Made Bears' Jaylon Johnson One of NFL's Most Underrated Cornerbacks)
Notable Matchup History
Johnson has 1 INT in 6 career games vs. Minnesota, establishing himself as a capable defender in division rivalries despite recent injury recovery. Historically, he missed both 2025 games vs. the Vikings due to groin injury (per Ben Johnson, Brian Flores match wits as Bears host Vikings).
Open Questions
- Will Johnson regain Pro Bowl/All-Pro form if healthy through 2026 training camp and season?
- Can Johnson contain Justin Jefferson in divisional matchups post-recovery?