After some time away from the cameras over the past two months, Ryan Poles finally met with the media at the start of the scouting combine in Indianapolis. The Chicago Bears GM got right to business. He congratulated Devin Hester and Steve McMichael for reaching the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He explained why the team released Eddie Jackson and Cody Whitehair, feeling it was the right time for both. The decision to cut them so soon was intended to help them get a head start on the free agency market. Eventually, he came around to the topic of Jaylon Johnson.
Everybody knows the Pro Bowl cornerback needs a new contract. He becomes a free agent on March 13th and the franchise tag deadline is March 5th. Poles expressed optimism that the two sides have made good progress in talks on an extension. Language and guarantees have been covered. Dialogue remains positive. All signs point in the right direction. It feels like one more good push should get this thing over the finish line, and the structure of the deal would allow Johnson to reach the market again at a reasonable age.
Jaylon Johnson will likely become a top-paid cornerback.
He’s made it plain as day that is what he seeks. It isn’t a surprise. He bet on himself last season, taking the gamble he could elevate his stock further with a strong year. Johnson got it right. He finished with four interceptions and made his first Pro Bowl. Now, it is on the Bears to reward him for those efforts. Money shouldn’t be an issue. They have the third-most salary cap space in the league at present. Poles has said many times he wishes to pay in-house players as often as possible. Cole Kmet was the first big example. Johnson should be the second.
The highest-paid cornerback in the NFL right now makes $21 million per year. That is likely the number Jaylon Johnson wants to reach, and maybe beat. Chicago should have no issues structuring the contract to where it doesn’t impact their free agency plans too much. Then again, Poles may wish to frontload the deal so it becomes less of a burden in years three and four. As always, it comes down to the guarantees. That is the number Johnson and his agent will argue on the most. The Bears GM doesn’t sound too worried about it.
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