Jaylon Johnson is tired of hearing that the Bears should be much improved this season.
To the All-Pro cornerback, it's all about what transpires on the field—beginning Sunday when the Bears open the 2024 campaign by hosting the Titans at Soldier Field.
"I'm done buying into the hype, honestly," Johnson said Monday. "I feel like I've said it before plenty of times. I've had some pretty good rosters and plenty of talented people in the locker rooms where [it's said], 'Oh yeah, this is our year, this is our year.'
"Everything that we've got in this locker room sounds good, it seems good, but none of that matters. What matters is what we're going to do this weekend and from every Sunday or Monday, whatever game it is. That's when it matters. The preseason hype doesn't move me. We've all got to come in here and we've got to work, just top to bottom."
Laboring on Labor Day
The Bears worked Monday, conducting a brief walk-through.
"Labor Day practice today was good," said coach Matt Eberflus. "We had some good work. Really today is just about getting back into it. I always like to be able to throw the ball around a little bit and do some individual, focus on some fundamentals there. Of course, we had the bonus week. So we had some time to get a head start on Tennessee. We did that last week a little bit with the Wednesday, Thursday practice. So we feel good where we are."
After a day off Tuesday, the Bears will practice in pads Wednesday and shells Thursday and Friday in preparation for Sunday's season opener.
Complete dominance
As one of the NFL's top cornerbacks, Johnson knows that he may not get targeted as much as he likes. But that won't change his approach.
"My mentality, regardless if I get targets or not, is complete dominance," he said. "And I don't need to have a ball thrown at a receiver to know he was never open. If they do throw, it's a wasted rep for them. I expect to win every rep, every one-on-one, every chance I get. I don't expect to lose. I don't think I'm losing. Every snap, I'm going into it thinking the ball's coming."
Sad news
Eberflus opened his press conference by offering prayers and condolences to the family of long-time Bears executive assistant Katie Nagle, who passed away Monday morning.
Nagle worked for the Bears since 2002, serving as an assistant to team president and CEO Ted Phillips and more recently chairman George H. McCaskey.
In 2015, Nagle was the club's first recipient of the Virginia McCaskey Award, which is given to a Bears employee who has demonstrated the characteristics and values of Mrs. McCaskey: grace, humility, loyalty and dedication. The winner also is someone who not only exceeds the highest standards of achievement, but whose work sets them apart from co-workers.
"We want to recognize her," Eberflus said. "What a kind soul. Beautiful woman. And just recognize her and her family, and our condolences go out to them as she makes her transition."
