(670 The Score) Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson is seeking a long-term contract extension but has previously acknowledged that he needs to earn his lucrative payday by making game-changing plays. It’s why he spent time alone on the sideline Monday night lamenting his second dropped potential pick-six in as many weeks.
Johnson recorded his third interception of the season in the Bears' 12-10 win against the Vikings but also missed out on the chance to make another pivotal play when he jumped a route but dropped the ball with only open green turf between him and the end zone. It led teammate DJ Moore to tell the Mully & Haugh Show that Johnson is “dropping money” with those missed opportunities.
For his part, Johnson agrees with Moore.
“He’s right, I am dropping some money for sure,” Johnson said Wednesday on the Parkins & Spiegel Show. “But at the end of the day, I’m making some plays. It’s not like I’m just dropping stuff and not making plays. I have more picks than dropped picks. As long as I stay on that side, I think I’m all right.
“I know I put in the effort to try to have good hands. I made the first (interception). It felt easy, it felt natural. I’m not really concerned about it. You just got to continue to go out there, put yourself in positions and just put emphasis on making those plays, just keep putting in the work that I've been putting in.”
Johnson hauled in a pair of interceptions in the Bears' win against the Raiders on Oct. 22, including the first pick-six of his career. Johnson's three interceptions this season mark the most of his four-year NFL career.
Johnson and the Bears have been actively negotiating a contract extension throughout this season, though the two sides haven't reached an agreement. That led Johnson to request a trade prior to the trade deadline on Oct. 31. The Bears retained him after failing to find a deal to their liking, putting Johnson in position to play out the rest of his contract. He's on track to enter free agency next March, though the Bears could prevent that by using the franchise tag on him if the sides don't reach an extension.
The Bears (4-8) are on their bye week following their win against the Vikings on Monday at U.S. Bank Stadium.