Photo: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Quick Math with Bears CB Jaylon Johnson

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net
By Quinten Krzysko | Last updated Apr 9, 2025 12:25 AM ET

Chicago Bears All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson took the podium on Tuesday during the Bears' voluntary offseason program. Johnson has been a vocal leader inside the Bears locker room in recent years, most notably for calling out Matt Eberflus after the devastating Thanksgiving loss to the Detroit Lions.

When pressed about the hype surrounding the Bears' recent off-season additions, Johnson emphasized that these moves should not be interpreted as automatic victories or imply anything in September until the team starts winning some games.

"Hype don’t win you no games. I’ve been here a minute. I’ve been through the hype, and we don’t win no games. So, for me, if it’s not about winning, quite honestly, I don’t really care about it. I’ve been through it too many times, man. I’m going to get excited when we win in November and December. When we change some things and get into the playoffs. That’s when I’m going to get excited." - Jaylon Johnson on the Bears off-season hype

Johnson noted that he was intrigued by the new coaching staff and talked about the defense playing with a dominating mentality. The Bears cornerback seems energized by the new defensive coaching staff, even if he is challenging himself and his teammates to prove it in the future.

"You get in a fight, you don't want to barely win the fight. You wanna whoop the guy in front of you, and that's what the mentality is for us."

Jaylon Johnson says the Bears are taking a dominating mentality this season. pic.twitter.com/pBnzFFZLjZ
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) April 8, 2025

Since being drafted by the Bears in 2020, Johnson has seen zero winning seasons and one playoff appearance. That playoff appearance came in his rookie years when the Bears caught the backdoor into the wild card round with a record of 8-8. The Bears are 24-46 in games Johnson has played throughout his career. In division, they have gone 6-17 in such games, including 1-7 against the Packers and 1-5 against the Vikings. That is some rough math.

Bears players and fans have heard about change before, but it feels different this time. While Matt Eberflus was welcomed as a new face, there was always an underwhelming vibe behind his hire. Ben Johnson brings a new energy to the franchise as he and his coaching staff try to change Halas Hall before it changes them. They seem to be off to a good start.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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