The Market Is Set
The business of sports never sleeps, especially for the Chicago Bears. They are eyeing a Super Bowl run in 2026. Yet a major question hangs over their defense. All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson is entering the second half of his current deal. He signed a four-year, $76 million contract back in 2024. Now he needs a new payday, and the clock is ticking.
According to Windy City Gridiron, the terms for his next deal are being set right now. Two young stars are driving the price up. Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is in talks for a new extension. The Seahawks seem ready to pay him over $31 million a year. This would make him the highest-paid corner in the league.
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez is also negotiating. He is another top talent from the 2023 NFL Draft. The Patriots will likely need to match or beat the Seattle offer to keep him. Witherspoon and Gonzalez are both entering their fourth seasons. Their deals will reset the top of the market for all elite corners.
Johnson’s Case for Cash
Jaylon Johnson wants in on this new level of money. He is 27 years old, which is still young for a corner. He is a two-time Pro Bowler and a 2024 Second Team All-Pro. He does not have the perfect health record of the younger players. He missed time in 2025 due to a groin injury. But he is healthy now and ready to play.
Per Windy City Gridiron, Johnson is the only sure thing Chicago has at corner. His teammates face their own struggles. Kyler Gordon battles soft tissue injuries. Tyrique Stevenson has issues with consistency. Rookie Malik Mohammad needs more experience. The Bears need Johnson to anchor the secondary. He locks up top receivers when he is at full strength.
The team already paid DJ Moore a huge sum to stay. That deal was four years and $110 million. They eventually traded Moore, but the point stands. Big money gets big talent. Johnson will demand a similar level of compensation. He is older than Witherspoon and Gonzalez, but his resume is strong. The Bears cannot afford to lose him without a fight.
What Comes Next
The discussions for Johnson will start soon. The Bears need to get something done quickly. Waiting too long is a bad idea. If Johnson stays healthy, he is worth every penny. He is the key to holding down a shaky defense.
The market numbers are clear. Top corners now average about $30 million a year. Derek Stingley and Sauce Gardner set this standard last season. Johnson will look at those deals and ask for more. The Bears must decide if he is worth the top tier.
This is a make-or-break moment for the franchise. They have Super Bowl aspirations for the 2026 season. They cannot win without a solid secondary. Jaylon Johnson is the heart of that unit. The deals for Witherspoon and Gonzalez are just the beginning. The Bears must be ready to pay up.
