Jaylon Johnson Working Toward Dominance as Bears Push for Playoff Spot
The Chicago Bears are in the thick of the playoff hunt, and with just a few games left on the schedule, every snap matters. For the defense, getting cornerback Jaylon Johnson back on the field has been a key development - but the former Pro Bowler knows he's not quite where he wants to be just yet.
Johnson, who underwent core muscle surgery in September and missed 10 weeks of action, has returned to the lineup, but he’s still working his way back to full strength. Earlier this week, he admitted that some movements still don’t feel quite right. That’s not unexpected after such a significant layoff, but it’s clear Johnson holds himself to a high standard.
“I’m taking the right step, and I’m getting closer,” Johnson said. “But in that moment, it’s just like, all right, whatever, I’ll take it. But I just want to get back to being dominant.”
That mindset tells you everything you need to know about where Johnson’s head is at. He’s not satisfied with being serviceable or simply “good enough.” He’s chasing the version of himself that locked down top receivers and earned All-Pro recognition - the one who could change the outcome of a game by taking away an opponent’s top target.
And let’s be honest: the Bears could use that version of Johnson right now.
Chicago’s secondary has been hammered by injuries this season. At various points, they’ve been without Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, and Terell Smith.
That’s forced position coach Al Harris to dig deep into the depth chart, and to his credit, the group has battled. But when Johnson is healthy and playing at a high level, he’s a difference-maker - the kind of player who can tilt the field and give the Bears a real edge in critical moments.
He didn’t have the benefit of a full training camp, and missing that kind of foundational time matters. It’s not just about conditioning - it’s about rhythm, timing, and chemistry with the rest of the defense. Johnson is still working to get his legs under him, and with every rep, he’s getting closer.
The Bears’ final stretch isn’t doing them any favors. They’ll face the Packers, 49ers, and Lions - three offenses that can test a secondary from every angle.
Whether it’s Jordan Love’s emerging confidence, Kyle Shanahan’s surgical schemes, or Detroit’s physical, balanced attack, Chicago’s corners will have their hands full. That’s why Johnson’s return to form is so important.
Even if he hasn’t looked like his old self just yet - and let’s be real, there have been some shaky moments - Johnson’s effort and mentality haven’t wavered. He’s grinding to get back to that Pro Bowl level, and that kind of leadership doesn’t go unnoticed in a locker room. When one of your top players is pushing himself to be great, especially this late in the season, it sets the tone for the rest of the roster.
At this stage, every team is dealing with injuries. No one’s 100 percent. But the Bears are still in control of their postseason fate, and guys like Johnson are doing everything they can to make sure this team finishes strong.
For Chicago to make a real push, they’ll need Johnson to keep trending upward - not just as a solid piece in the secondary, but as the shutdown corner he’s proven he can be. And if he gets there in time, the Bears’ defense could be a real problem for anyone standing in their way.