There are some concerns surrounding the Chicago Bears’ defense heading into 2026, and it’s far beyond their lackluster pass rush. Despite the new additions of safeties Coby Bryant and rookie Dillon Thieneman, there are questions at cornerback with starters Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon returning from an injury-riddled 2025 season.
Johnson missed the entire summer with a groin injury, and he landed on injured reserve in Week 2 with another groin injury that required surgery and held him out for 10 regular-season games. Johnson returned in Week 13, but it was clear that he was never 100 percent, which affected his play.
Flash forward to this offseason, Johnson has been noticeably absent from the voluntary portion of the offseason program, which isn’t anything new for the former Pro Bowler. But the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs believes Johnson is facing a make-or-break year that might result in his departure or another contract extension.
Johnson, 27, returned from core muscle surgery after Week 1 to play in seven regular-season games. He’s signed for $13.05 million in 2027 with a $2 million roster bonus. If he plays well this year, he’ll be in line for a new deal as the cornerback market has taken off since he was extended in March 2024.
If he doesn’t, the Bears could be poised to move on, which is standard for veterans near the end of a rich second contract.
When healthy, Johnson has been one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks, and if he can return to his Pro Bowl form, he’ll serve as a catalyst for Chicago’s defense while likely earning a second extension in the process. But arriving to training camp healthy and staying healthy will be the key.
“I have no doubt that fully healthy, we’ll get what we need to see,” said defensive backs coach Al Harris, via the Tribune. “I have no doubt about that at all.”
Right now, there are concerns about both Johnson and Gordon’s health heading into 2026, where Johnson is recovering and Gordon is currently nursing a soft tissue injury. The Bears are going to need both Johnson and Gordon at full health if they want to make another run at the division and postseason.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears insider hints Jaylon Johnson’s future in question beyond 2026
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
