The Bears got a mixed bag from their joint practice with the Bengals, but one defensive bright spot jumped off the field: Jaylon Johnson.
While Chicago’s offense reportedly held up well in the passing game even with Caleb Williams under pressure from Cincinnati’s front, the Bears’ defense had a much rougher time dealing with the Bengals’ attack. Johnson, though, gave Chicago something to build on.
Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase made it clear Johnson was the corner giving him the most trouble. Chicago Sun-Times Bears reporter Patrick Finley relayed Chase’s explanation, and the receiver didn’t hold back about what he saw from Johnson.
‘‘Real good corner,’’ Chase said. ‘‘Pretty aggressive on a couple of plays.’’
‘‘I get jumped every day. I get jumped for a living.
I’ve gotten many yards [after] getting jumped at the line. That’s not aggressive.’’
Finley also noted that the one successful play Chase had against Chicago’s secondary came against Tyrique Stevenson, not Johnson. That catch was a jump ball on the right sideline.
For the Bears, Johnson’s showing mattered. He’s coming off an injury-hit 2024 season that cost him about two months, and the numbers reflected that limited run: 17 tackles, two pass deflections and one interception in seven games, along with a career-high 72.7% completion percentage allowed in coverage.
Johnson had been a Pro Bowler in 2023 and 2024, and the early signs this summer suggest he may be getting back to that level. Bears fans have seen the same thing throughout training camp, with Johnson looking like the version they remembered before last season went sideways.
The bigger question is whether that form carries over. Johnson likely won’t play in the preseason, so the Bears may not know for sure how close he is to his old self until the regular season arrives.
There’s still plenty of time for things to change at camp, but Chicago badly needs Johnson to keep trending up. With injuries testing the secondary, the Bears need their top corner to look like a top corner again. If he can get back to the level that made him a two-time Pro Bowler, this defense has a chance to climb out of the league’s basement and support a team with bigger ambitions.
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