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Jaylon Johnson experiences growth on, off the field in fifth NFL season

Story by Gabby Hajduk

Leader in the locker room. Feared presence on the field. Model of work ethic. Source of energy. Fit check enthusiast.

Throughout the 2024 season, Jaylon Johnson assumed all of those roles and more — excelling at whoever the Bears needed their star cornerback to be.

The five-year pro routinely highlighted his continuous growth as not only a top level cornerback — which earned earned him a starting spot in the Pro Bowl Games this weekend — but a vocal, lead-by-example captain as well.

On the field, Johnson has served as a constant for the Bears, solidifying himself as a weapon on the defense and furthering his playmaking abilities each season.

In 2024, Johnson started all 17 games and recorded a career-high 53 tackles, eight passes defensed, career-high seven tackles-for-loss, two interceptions and one forced fumble. It marked the second season that Johnson recorded multiple interceptions and forced a fumble — contributing to a defense that ranked top five in takeaways and tied for top 3 in interceptions from 2023-24.

"That's what I feel is a part of trying to be great and playing the game at a high level is just consistency and improvement," Johnson told ChicagoBears.com. "I always want to be a high-level player and that comes with the work I put in — being consistent in that — and just being fortunate and blessed enough to be able to get those results. Hard work doesn't guarantee you anything but just sticking to my process and committing to taking care of my body have allowed me to stay healthy as well."

Johnson's first interception of the 2024 season came in Week 1 against the Titans. The five-year pro sealed the Bears' 24-17 season opener victory at Soldier Field by picking off a deep throw from Titans quarterback Will Levis with just a minute remaining in the game.

Two weeks later in Indianapolis, Johnson came up big again for the Bears, intercepting Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson's overthrown ball on the first play of the second half. The Bears offense capitalized off that takeaway with a 53-yard field goal by kicker Cairo Santos.

Johnson continued to be a force in the secondary throughout the rest of the 2024 season, often going head-to-head with opponents' top receivers while daring their quarterbacks to throw his way. His rise over the past couple of seasons has become noticeable outside of Chicago, including from new head coach and former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

"Jaylon Johnson, last year and the year before, [we] really didn't want to throw it his way," Ben Johnson said. "I think he's that caliber of corner right now. He's playing at that level."

The veteran cornerback closed out his fifth NFL season by helping the Bears defeat the Packers at Lambeau Field Jan. 5. As the first quarter came to a close, Johnson used the 'Peanut Punch' method on Packers receiver Jayden Reed to force a fumble, which was scooped up by safety Jonathan Owens. The takeaway once again led to a score, this time a touchdown run by running back D'Andre Swift which extended the Bears 14-3 lead and factored into the 24-22 victor.

The same talent and consistency that earned Johnson a four-year contract extension last March was displayed and even elevated in 2024 — leading to his second consecutive Pro Bowl nod.

"I want to give a special shout out to Jaylon Johnson for making the Pro Bowl for the second straight year," general manager Ryan Poles said. "That's no surprise to anyone in our building. His preparation, detail, his process is always on point and that has allowed him to be successful and consistent."

While Johnson has become a staple in the Bears defense, his value in the entire locker room has also grown tremendously. For the first time in his career, Johnson was voted a captain for the 2024 season — a signal of trust from his peers.

For Johnson, it 'felt good to get that recognition from teammates and coaches.' That honor, combined with the natural maturity that Johnson gained from being one of the longest tenured players on the team, allowed him to display his voice more.

"I would say I grew in my leadership, just getting closer to the guys in the locker room —offense and defense — just building a relationship with the guys to be able to bring the team closer together," Johnson said. "That was something that was really important throughout this season, having the locker room stay tight. Just being a leader with my voice and not only my actions — that was something that was very much needed this year and that I can say I grew in."

Even while becoming a more vocal leader and continuing to lead by example, Johnson took pride in always "being myself" this season.

For the Fresno native that means flashing his bright smile around Halas Hall, cracking jokes with his teammates and always showing up in style — whether that means driving in his three-wheeled Vanderhall roadster or sporting an outfit only he could pull off.

Now with the 2024 season wrapped up, Johnson has his sights set on the Pro Bowl Games in Orlando this weekend, where he will be a starting cornerback for the NFC. Johnson helped the NFC to a victory last year when he broke up a pass in the end zone intended for now teammate and receiver Keenan Allen.

Johnson is excited to get back on the field with his counterparts around the league and share another special experience with his family.

"I'm looking forward to going again," Johnson said. "Excited about doing all the trips and amusement parks with my family, of course having my newborn now too and being able to do that with her.

"My wife and I were just talking about how we had just found out she was pregnant around this time last year. So now having our baby actually here while we're doing it will be fun, creating those memories early with her. And then hopefully the NFC can get another win this year."