Bears Realize Need to Keep Top Cornerback

Analysis: The franchise tag likely will be headed Jaylon Johnson's way if the Bears can't reach a contract agreement before March 5 and it would be money well spent.

In one week, teams can begin to apply franchise tags.

Often it goes until just before the deadline when teams apply tags because they want to use as much time as they can trying to negotiate a deal. In 2024, this occurs on March 5, the day after the NFL Scouting Combine ends.

Already there is word leaking out that Tee Higgins will get the tag, which has been predictable all along even as Bears fans dreamed pointlessly of pairing him with DJ Moore. No one can prevent tag reports from coming out now but they don't become official until the tag actually gets applied.

If you're placing any weight on postseason comments by Bears GM Ryan Poles, it shouldn't get to that point with talks to give Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson a new deal.

"I feel really good about that situation," Poles had said. "Jaylon is not going to go anywhere, and we'll work through it and get something done."

Then again, this was before Johnson went on Keyshawn Johnson's "All Facts, No Brakes," podcast to say: "I feel like there's no reason why I can’t be the highest-paid corner in the league. That's what I'm aiming for."

Denzel Ward is the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL according to total contract value at $100.5 million over five years, according to Spotrac.com. Jalen Ramsey is highest paid according to cap hit for 2024 at $27.267 million. Jaire Alexander is highest paid per deal's average value at $21 million a year and average value as a percentage of a team's cap space at 8.66% of the Packers' cap.

That's pretty high for Johnson to aim, particularly when he has five career interceptions and four came last year

Interceptions aren't everything. Then again, they're pretty important.

Johnson's first interception came in 2021 against Joe Burrow and last one this season against Jared Goff. In between, he picked off Brian Hoyer, Aidan O'Connell and Joshua Dobbs. These three picks don't count for less on the field. Do they count for less in negotiations?

Teams can get really picky when they have to give up the dollars. Like, it could be brought up how Johnson missed a career-high 18.2% of his tackles in 2023, per Sportradar (8 of 44) or that he hasn't played more than 15 games in a season and has missed 14 games.

What can't be ignored was his 50.9 passer rating against and 55.2% completions allowed when targeted, according to Sportradar. Opponents had only 279 yards last year when throwing against Johnson, 173 less than in any other season. His yards per completion allowed were a ridiculous 8.7, 4.4 yards less than his previous best.

If the Bears pay Johnson something close to what he asks, the numbers say he'd be getting paid for one great season out of four. However, numbers lie about his first three years because he was involved so heavily in covering an opponent's best receiver and it was sufficient to merely prevent the catch. Picks would have been above and beyond the call of duty.

What the Bears need to decide is whether his role will be similar and it's that valuable going forward, because now it appears Tyrique Stevenson and possibly even Terell Smith, can be good enough going forward to avoid being picked on. In other words, it's going to be more even when it comes to attack point for opposing passing games.

Is it worthwhile, then, to pay Johnson at a rate like he's asking or at least like he said he's asking in the interview with Johnson.

The truth is that while Stevenson and Smith had high points last year, it's far too early to assume they can be close to where Johnson was in coverage ability last season.

So a deal somewhere near Johnson's demand hardly seems excessive.

If not, the franchise tag is always available at $18.8 million. A tag would chase away the other teams not because of the $18.8 million but because compensation due for the Bears should another team sign him would be two first-round draft picks.

There is a lesser tag, the transition tag, but no compensation is due if he signs with another team and the Bears decide not to match the offer.

At any rate, the Bears appear not to be candidates for improvement at cornerback through free agency or trade. They already have one of the best and just need to pay him after he was underpaid for four seasons. And they have three capable players after that in the two 2023 rookies and slot cornerback Kyler Gordon.

They even have a backup slot cornerback with a high intensity level and speed in Josh Blackwell, who is an exclusive rights free agent. That means he isn't a free agent at all because the Bears decide if they want him or don't. They will.

Bears 2024 UFA Projections

CB Jaylon Johnson

Measurements: 6-foot, 196

Age: 24

2023 Cap Cost: $3.56 million.

2023 Production: 14 starts, 4 interceptions, 1 TD return, 10 pass defenses, 1 forced fumble, targeted 58 times, 32 completions allowed, 279 yards, 2 TDs allowed, 50.9 passer rating against.

Years with Bears: 4

Years in the NFL: 4

BearDigest 2024 UFA Projection: Franchise tag in 2024 for $18.8 million.

CB Josh Blackwell* 

Measurements: 5-11, 180

Age: 24

2023 Cap Cost: $1.1 million

2023 Production: 10 games, 8 tackles, 1 forced fumble, No receptions, two targets, two completions allowed, 24 yards, 116.7 passer rating against, 21 defensive plays, 178 special teams plays.

Years with Bears: 2

Years in the NFL: 2

BearDigest 2024 UFA Projection: One-year minimum contract tender.

*Exclusive rights free agent

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven