LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- In preparing for what he hopes is a breakthrough this season, Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson suffered a setback.
During his personal training in July, Johnson was making a cut against a wide receiver when he felt pain. It was a groin injury, one that kept Johnson out for the entirety of the preseason. Now, he has been activated from the non-football injury list and is looking ahead to the Bears’ season opener next Monday night at Soldier Field.
It remains to be seen whether Johnson will play in that first game, one that will feature a matchup with Vikings superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
“Definitely not ideal,” Johnson said Tuesday. “Just when (it happened), I felt that I knew I was going to be out some time because the amount of pain that I had and just the feeling that I had. I knew it was going to be out.
“If we had a game today, it wouldn't be a thing. But I think really this week will be important for me to get the pads back on, get practices under my belt, game speed, moving around, covering guys, communicating. I think that all will help me.”
During the course of training camp, the Bears’ defense had a void without Johnson. The team played veteran Nahshon Wright opposite Tyrique Stevenson, though nobody on this unit could properly fill the shoes of Johnson.
Johnson is coming off his second consecutive Pro Bowl campaign in 2024. He has hauled in six interceptions over 31 games the last two seasons and emerged as one of the NFL’s top cover cornerbacks.
With his continued ascension, Johnson earned a lucrative four-year, $76-million contract extension in March of 2024. He was thrilled to earn that financial security, but the market has increased at cornerback.
Johnson’s $19 million annual average value ranks 14th among NFL cornerbacks. By comparison, Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland earned a four-year, $90-million contract extension last weekend.
But Johnson denied the idea that his injury absence was at all related to his contract.
"You know me better than that,” Johnson said. “I never held out. I haven't ever done any of that.
“It's a good (media narrative) as far as the contract and the timing and things, but I'm not that type of cat."
Johnson remains uncertain as to whether he will be able to suit up for the Bears’ opener on Monday night. He will practice this week and test out his groin, though there’s no way to simulate a matchup with Jefferson.
Just as the Bears’ defense missed Johnson during training camp, it could very well be without him for the season opener.
“Whenever a guy misses that significant amount of time, you're very cautious in making sure that injury doesn't reoccur again,” Bears head coach Ben Johnson said. “I know he's feeling significantly better than obviously he was from the start. We'll see what he looks like moving around and hopefully take it from there. I know he's excited to get back out with his teammates here soon.”
The Bears have hopes of a breakthrough this season, led by second-year quarterback Caleb Williams on offense and a bolstered roster on both sides of the football. The new regime has produced renewed hope at Halas Hall.
But Johnson has heard the hype in preseasons past and rolled his eyes. That was the case prior to the 2024 campaign, one that opened with great anticipation and endured a miserable losing streak.
Johnson has never been part of a winning season with the Bears – nor has he ever played in a playoff game. It has been a frustrating time with this team.
With that in mind, Johnson hopes the script flips in 2025.
"Win. Win. I mean, it's really simple as that,” Johnson said. “I mean, we win, we play good, everybody gets paid. I mean, it's just how it all goes together. So, for me, I'm trying to win, coaches are trying to win. That's all it's about."
Extra point
The Bears held a closed walk-through on Tuesday at Halas Hall. The team will conduct its traditional game week practice Wednesday before a players’ off day Thursday, then continue on the practice schedule Friday and Saturday.
The Bears kick off the season with the Vikings on Monday at 7:15 at Soldier Field.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.