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Jaylon Johnson’s firm desire to stay with Bears should make Ryan Poles’ next step easy originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Jaylon Johnson and the Bears have been unable to find common ground on a long-term contract extension. That stalemate led to Johnson asking for and being granted permission to seek a trade at the deadline.
No deal materialized as Bears general manager Ryan Poles was unwilling to lower his asking price for a 24-year-old, top-tier corner.
“I don’t want to lose Jaylon Johnson,” Poles said after the trade deadline. “If I were to lose Jaylon Johnson, I would like to have a high percentage of hitting on another Jaylon Johnson, which, to me, is a late first and into early second (round pick). Really simple there. That didn’t happen. We are still open to getting a contract done.”
After not being traded, Johnson said he was content to play out the rest of the season and potentially test the free-agent market while acknowledging the Bears could franchise tag him.
In the weeks since his trade request wasn’t carried out, Johnson has repeatedly said his only focus is on earning an All-Pro selection and helping the Bears make the playoffs. The contract talks with the Bears were on the back burner.
But Johnson made it clear Wednesday at Halas Hall that “tabling” talks wasn’t code for “I want out.” The Bears’ defense has played at a near-elite level over the past month. The defensive rise has been spearheaded by Montez Sweat’s arrival and the ascendance of a talented, young secondary that Johnson spearheads.
The 24-year-old cornerback sees the Bears are headed in the right direction, and he’d be content to sign a deal with the Bears before free agency opens if the deal is to his liking. He doesn’t need to see what’s out there. He believes where he’s at is the best place for him.
“I mean, it’s all I know, honestly,” Johnson said Wednesday when asked why he’d want to stay with the Bears. “I just couldn’t see myself anywhere else….
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/jaylon-johnsons-firm-desire-stay-223106572.html
Author : NBC Sports Chicago
Publish date : 2023-12-20 22:31:06
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