(670 The Score) Late last October in a lost 2022 season, the Bears traded star linebacker Roquan Smith (to the Ravens) and pass rusher Robert Quinn (Eagles) in a pair of deals that continued their rebuild.
This past Sunday, the Bears fell to 1-5 with a 19-13 loss to the Vikings, setting up the possibility that they could look to deal key players who are working on expiring contracts. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson is in that position, as he's in the final year of his rookie contract and uncertain of what’s to come next.
With the Bears struggling again and the NFL trade deadline looming on Oct. 31, the possibility of being traded has crossed Johnson's mind, he told the Parkins & Spiegel Show.
“I’m not oblivious, I’m not blind and I’m not exempt at the end of the day,” Johnson said Monday in his regular appearance with 670 The Score. “When you trade Roquan away, when you trade Robert Quinn away, man, you can trade anybody away. So, I mean, I’m definitely not exempt.
“I know what’s going on. I know what is to be figured out and different things like that. At the end of the day, the Bears got to do what’s best for them and I got to do what’s best for me. Whatever happens with that happens. I’m not forcing anything. Like I've been saying from day one, I want to stay here. This is my first team, my home, I bought a house here, everything. All my plans were to stay in Chicago.
“At the end of the day, it’s not about feelings. It’s not about what I want or any of that. For me, it’s just about continuing to go out there and put great film on tape. Whatever happens after that happens. But at the end of the day, nobody is exempt from being traded.”
Johnson has started 43 games over four seasons in Chicago. Receiver Darnell Mooney, who like Johnson was part of the 2020 draft class, is also set to become a free agent after this season.
The Bears (1-5) host the Raiders (3-3) on Sunday at Soldier Field.