One thing Chicago Bears fans have learned about Jaylon Johnson since he arrived in 2020 is his pride. The cornerback brims with self-confidence and a belief he is one of the best in the NFL. Last year, he proved it by collecting four interceptions and a passer rating of 50.9. He made his first Pro Bowl and was second-team All-Pro. You’d think this would be enough to get the recognition from the rest of the league as one of the NFL’s 100 best players. You would be wrong. The latest version of the list completely blanked the 25-year-old, while names like Aaron Rodgers and Cooper Kupp made it despite missing several games.
Needless to say, Johnson was not happy. He made that crystal clear during his latest press conference, adding a dash of colorful language for emphasis.
He’s also not wrong. He is every bit as good or better than several players who cracked the list. Getting left off was a smack in the face. It is another reminder of how underappreciated he is by the national media. Perhaps it is a byproduct of playing on mostly bad teams. Johnson still hasn’t seen a winning season in Chicago. When that happens, even great players often get overlooked. That is how Matthew Stafford only makes two Pro Bowls in Detroit. One thing is clear. Jaylon Johnson won’t have to look far for motivation this season. Last year, it was about money. This year, it’s about respect. Don’t expect the Bears to complain. They know the angrier he gets, the better he plays.
