A common saying among people in the sports business is “Deadlines spur action.” In other words, if you want a resolution on something, fix a hard deadline to it. That will be the case for several teams over the next couple of weeks. According to the NFL off-season schedule, the franchise tag window officially opened today, February 20th. Teams now have two weeks until March 5th to determine if any players on their current roster will receive the designation. For the Chicago Bears, only one name has that potential. It is Jaylon Johnson.
The cornerback finally achieved his breakthrough season in 2023, securing four interceptions and earning Pro Bowl honors alongside teammate Montez Sweat. Unsurprisingly, he intends to use that success to gain leverage in his contract negotiations with the Bears. It’s how the business works. GM Ryan Poles has made it clear he wants to keep Johnson. It comes down to finding the numbers that will satisfy both parties. Right now, the goal is to try to get a deal done before the deadline on March 5th.
If not enough progress is made, the Bears will have a decision. Either tag Johnson to keep him secure for another season while continuing to negotiate, or let him walk in free agency.
They have over $60 million in cap space. Top cornerbacks make around $20-21 million per year. Chicago can absorb that contract and still have enough money left over to do some spending in free agency. Everything depends on how high Johnson wants to go. If he’s seeking to be the highest-paid cornerback in the league, then the Bears must top $21 million, currently held by Green Bay’s Jaire Alexander. Given Johnson’s value, it might seem like a no-brainer to get this done. However, there is one sticking point.
He has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. Since arriving in the NFL in 2020, Jaylon Johnson has missed 14 games with various injuries, particularly shoulder ones. Poles may try to use that fact as a way to lower the price somewhat. It is another reminder of how intricate these negotiations can be. The good news is both sides appear to be in communication. Constant dialogue is crucial to getting a deal done. Keep the calendar circled. We should have answers early next month.
