The Chicago Bears are heading into a pivotal offseason, and with cap space at a premium, tough decisions are on the horizon. General manager Ryan Poles has already shown he’s not afraid to make bold moves, and this offseason could be no different.
While most fans are focused on big-name free agents or potential draft targets, there’s another layer to the roster puzzle: potential cap casualties. And one name that’s unexpectedly entered the conversation?
Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
Yes, that Jaylon Johnson.
The same Jaylon Johnson who earned back-to-back Pro Bowl nods in 2023 and 2024. The same corner who was widely considered a top-10 player at his position just a year ago. But after a frustrating, injury-hampered 2025 campaign, Johnson’s future in Chicago isn’t as secure as it once seemed.
Let’s break it down.
Why Johnson’s Name Is Even in the Mix
On paper, Johnson’s contract isn’t outrageous. His $19 million average annual salary ranks 13th among corners-just outside the top 10.
But it’s the 2026 cap hit that’s raising eyebrows. At $24.5 million, Johnson carries one of the heftiest numbers on the Bears’ books.
If the team were to designate him as a post-June 1 cut, they’d free up a significant chunk of space-$15.5 million to be exact.
For a team that’s looking to retool and potentially make a serious playoff push, that kind of flexibility is valuable. Especially when you consider the depth of the cornerback market this offseason and the emergence of younger, cheaper talent across the league.
The Injury Factor
Johnson’s 2025 season was derailed before it even began. A brutal groin injury-specifically, a torn adductor muscle detached from the pelvic bone-sidelined him in training camp.
He missed Week 1, then aggravated the injury in Week 2 while making a play on the ball. After undergoing core muscle surgery, he didn’t return until Week 13.
Even when he did suit up, it was clear he wasn’t quite himself. His PFF grade for the year?
58.7-ranking 64th out of 98 corners with at least 400 snaps. He allowed 12.2 yards per target, the seventh-highest among corners with 20+ targets.
For a player who built his reputation on sticky coverage and physical play, those numbers are a red flag.
Still, Johnson didn’t hide. He played at least 61% of the defensive snaps in seven of his eight games after returning, including the playoffs.
In the final three games, he was on the field for over 81% of the snaps. That’s not a guy coasting through the end of the season.
That’s a competitor trying to push through pain and contribute.
The Financial Clock Is Ticking
There’s also a timing element to all this. On the third day of the new league year, $7.6 million of Johnson’s 2026 base salary becomes fully guaranteed.
That date looms large for the Bears’ front office. If they’re going to make a move, they’ll need to act quickly-or commit to keeping him around at a premium price.
So… Could the Bears Really Cut Him?
It’s possible. But it’s far from a lock.
The logic behind a potential release is rooted in cap strategy and performance metrics. But there’s also context that can’t be ignored.
Johnson wasn’t healthy last season. And when he’s right, he’s one of the better corners in the league-physical, instinctive, and capable of locking down top receivers.
At just 27 years old, he’s still in his prime.
If the Bears do decide to move on, they’d better have a strong contingency plan. Replacing a top-flight corner isn’t easy, especially one who knows the system and has already proven he can perform at a Pro Bowl level. And if they’re banking on internal development or a mid-tier free agent to fill that void, that’s a gamble with real consequences.
Final Thoughts
Jaylon Johnson’s situation is a reminder of how quickly things can change in the NFL. One year you’re a cornerstone of the defense; the next, you’re a cap number under scrutiny.
But this isn’t a simple case of declining play. It’s a story of injury, timing, and financial chess.
If Ryan Poles and the Bears do decide to part ways with Johnson, it’ll be one of the more surprising moves of the offseason. Not because it came out of nowhere-but because it would mean betting that $15.5 million in cap space can be better spent elsewhere. And that’s a bet they’ll need to get right.