Bears’ Jaylon Johnson seeks trade before deadline, source says

The Chicago Bears have granted cornerback Jaylon Johnson permission to seek a trade before Tuesday’s deadline, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Johnson recently requested to be traded after failing to reach a new deal with the Bears last week, the source told Fowler.

Johnson, who is set to become a free agent after this season, is now among the most talented players available. Veteran defensive backs Kevin Byard and JC Jackson have already been traded this season ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline.

The San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills are among the teams discussing potential trades for Johnson, a source told ESPN’s Ed Werder.

If the Bears (2-6) fail to trade Johnson, they could use their franchise tag next year on him.

Johnson said last week in an interview with Chicago radio station 670 The Score that contract negotiations with the Bears were “starting to pick up steam,” but also acknowledged that “a lot of different things can happen” when He was asked about the possibility of an exchange.

Johnson, 24, has 18 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble in six games this season, his fourth with the Bears. The 2020 second-round pick appeared in 45 career games with Chicago, recording 143 tackles and three interceptions.