The Chicago Bears are gearing up for a hyped 2026 season, where they’re looking to build off their impressive first season under head coach Ben Johnson, which included an NFC North title and a wild-card playoff win. While they found success in 2025, it’s a brand new slate for this Bears team following an offseason of change, including the departures of key veterans and the additions of new veterans and exciting rookies.
The work begins in training camp, where Johnson will put his team through the wringer with the intent to prepare them for the 2026 season. Every day from now right up through training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2026 season. We’ll recap their 2025 season, look ahead to 2026 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.
Next up at No. 10 is cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who’s looking to return to form after last year’s injury struggles. Johnson has been one of the best cornerbacks in the league, when healthy, and he’ll prove to be key to this Bears defense in 2026.
Background
Position: Cornerback
Age: 27
Experience: 7th season
2026 cap hit: $24.5 million
2025 recap
Johnson’s 2025 season was doomed from the start after he suffered a groin injury while training ahead of training camp. Not only did he miss the entire summer session and preseason, when he did make his return in Week 2, he only lasted one half before suffering another groin injury that held him out until November. When Johnson did return to the field (he played a total of seven games in 2025), it was clear that he wasn’t healthy but trying everything to be there for his team amid the playoff hunt. Johnson admitted that he wasn’t 100 percent, and that it was going to take time, but he did improve and looked like himself at times during the final stretch of the season and the postseason.
Importance in 2026
The Bears defense let a lot to be desired last season, whether it was their struggles against the run or rushing the quarterback or the cornerback room being ravaged by injuries. If the defense is going to return to form, they’re going to need Johnson to step up in the secondary. Chicago’s defense has been better when Johnson is playing, as he helps alleviate pressure on the pass rush and commands the attention of opposing offenses. There are questions outside of Johnson, including Kyler Gordon’s injury struggles and who will be starting opposite Johnson on the outside. But if Johnson can stay healthy, the defense is going to be in a good position to bounce back.
Big Question: Will Jaylon Johnson return to his Pro Bowl form?
When healthy, Johnson is one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL, and he’s been one of the Bears’ best draft picks in the last few years. Before his injury-shortened 2025 season, he had back-to-back Pro Bowl campaigns totaling six interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, and 18 pass breakups while being a focal point for opposing offenses. But Johnson suffered a setback amid groin injuries that held him out for half of the season and hurt the defense in the long run. The key is to enter the summer healthy and stay that way. So far, so good, as Johnson was a full participant during OTAs and minicamp. If Johnson can stay healthy, there’s little doubt he can return to his dominant form and help Dennis Allen’s defense in a big way.
30 Most Important Bears of 2026
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 30 Most Important Bears of 2026: Jaylon Johnson (No. 10)
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri and Brendan Sugrue, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Alyssa Barbieri and Brendan Sugrue, Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
