Jaylon Johnson has unquestionably been the Chicago Bears’ best player for the past two seasons. He was already a good player even from the moment he arrived in 2020. However, he has graduated to great player, becoming one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. One would think the organization is smart to continue building the defense around him. However, that isn’t the stance some in the media have taken. Given where the Bears are at right now, sitting at the bottom of the NFC once again, this might be as good a time as any to trade him.
John Jurkovic, or Jurko as he’s known on ESPN 1000, made the case during a radio segment. While he acknowledges Johnson is a good player, he feels the cornerback has checked out. He isn’t interested in playing hard anymore. It is better for both sides to get a fresh start. He goes to a new team, and the Bears get a solid return for what is now a two-time Pro Bowler in his prime.
Trading Jaylon Johnson is unlikely. Still, what could they get?
If the Bears were to entertain it, they would have considerable leverage. Johnson is under contract through 2027. Any team acquiring him would have control for three years, all in his prime years. Having made his second Pro Bowl, they will also know they’re getting a premium asset. Players like that tend to go for a high price. Jalen Ramsey was 25 in 2019 and was traded to Los Angeles for two 1st round picks and a 4th round pick. That was despite not yet having a long-term contract. Johnson is also 25 and has more interceptions in a two-season span than Ramsey did at the time.
That feels like the correct ballpark if the Bears were to entertain it. Will they? Probably not. The only way it feels possible is through two avenues. Either Jaylon Johnson himself must ask for one, or a new general manager would come in and reach the conclusion such a move is necessary. Given how frustrated Johnson has been with the team’s direction, the former seems more plausible at this stage. In truth, Chicago likely hopes a new coaching staff can finally get things fixed.
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Hey Erik, maybe you could write about how the “Leadership Council” (bwahaha, what a joke!) could just fix the Bears so that JJ1 doesn’t have to feel checked out anymore? Then maybe they can rejoin the NFL instead of just being its farm system.
It starts with people like Erik Lambert. Going out to publicize garbage from random podcasts, even through ESPN just melts down the entire Bears organization (which is why he can’t get direct interviews from anyone on the Bears). Let’s be honest. After three full years of really bad, incoherent and pointless coaching, everyone is confused. Obviously the Bears are losing every game in every possible way, but no one really has any authority to change anything. At the same time, Poles can do nothing except search for a GOOD head coach, and watch. They won’t fire him, because WHO is… Read more »
LT Fashanu still desires to play with Caleb. If you were him, would you really want to protect Aaron Rodgers’ blind side? I think not. He could play LT or LG with his old school QB teammate.
Trade Johnson and Moore to the Falcons for RB Bijan Robinson and a 1st round pick 2025. Trade Stevenson and Jones for Jets’ LT Fashanu.
Jerko has been known to talk out of his arse often.
With that being said, how about we trade Poles. Any takers? I’ll take 1 ham sandwich please and he’s all yours. Make sure it’s country ham though.