Bears, Jaylon Johnson agree to 4-year, $76M deal, sources say،
The Chicago Bears and star cornerback Jaylon Johnson have agreed to a four-year, $76 million deal, including $54 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler on Thursday.
Johnson is guaranteed $43.8 million upon signing and will earn $28 million in the first year of the deal, according to sources.
The Bears announced the four-year deal Thursday, but did not disclose financial terms.
“We are extremely excited to be able to keep Jaylon here for the next four years,” general manager Ryan Poles said in a statement. “He is an integral part of our defense and his leadership will help our team continue to progress.”
The Bears awarded the non-exclusive franchise tag to Johnson on Tuesday, but Poles had expressed confidence last week that the sides would reach a long-term deal.
Johnson's deal is the third significant defensive investment in the past calendar year by the Bears, who also signed linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to a four-year, $72 million contract last March and signed Montez Sweat a four-year, $98 million contract after acquiring the defensive end in a trade with the Washington Commanders.
Johnson, who turns 25 in April, was named a second-team All-Pro and earned Pro Bowl honors last season when he threw a career-high 4 interceptions (including a pick-six) , 10 passes defended, 1 forced fumble and 36 tackles. .
The 50th overall pick in the 2020 draft, Johnson played out the fourth year of his rookie contract after being unable to secure an extension with Chicago before the 2023 season. In July 2023, Johnson said he understood to the time that his lack of on-field accolades — one interception in his first three seasons — made it difficult for him to land a deal at the top of the market.
After Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs signed a five-year, $97 million extension in training camp, Johnson noted the deal was beneficial to the entire team. market for defensive backs, but didn't think it would affect his negotiations with Chicago.
ESPN's Courtney Cronin contributed to this report.
