Kofi Inkoom
Chicago Bears defensive back Jaylon Johnson, who initially expressed a desire to secure a long-term deal with the team before the upcoming offseason, has experienced a significant shift in his stance as the Tuesday trade deadline nears.
According to reports from Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Johnson has formally made a trade request due to the fruitless nature of negotiations between him and the Bears.
It is now anticipated that Johnson, a 24-year-old second-round pick from the 2020 NFL draft out of Utah, will be traded before the impending Tuesday deadline.
Fowler further reports that the Bears and Johnson made an attempt to discuss a new contract last week, but they couldn’t reach an agreement.
Johnson, a valuable young talent for the Bears, was expected to be a part of the team’s future plans. However, it seems that Chicago is open to letting him explore other opportunities before the deadline.
If a trade doesn’t materialize by tomorrow, the Bears still have the option to use the franchise tag on Johnson next year.
In 2020, Johnson, a former second-round selection by the Bears, inked a four-year deal, and now finds himself in the closing stretch of that contract, edging closer to becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2024.
In the previous season, Johnson appeared in six games for the Bears, contributing with 18 tackles, two interceptions, a defensive touchdown, a forced fumble, and four pass breakups.