LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson ripped the football away from Browns receiver Jerry Jeudy on Sunday at Soldier Field to haul in his first interception of the season by making a sensational play.
It was another signature play for a Bears defense that leads the NFL in takeaways, but it didn’t mean all that much to Johnson personally. His main focus is getting back to full health after he missed most of this season recovering from core muscle surgery, which he had in September.
“An interception is cool, but I just want to get back to just really being myself,” Johnson said. “I'm taking the right step, and I'm getting closer, but in that moment it’s just like all right, whatever, I'll take it. But I just want to get back to being dominant.
“I mean, you know your body. I think for me, it's just certain movements don't feel like they used to feel. And really just that comfort again. I didn't have camp, I didn't have too many opportunities. So you get thrown in a fire, and it's kind of trying to find yourself when it counts."
Johnson missed the entirety of training camp after suffering a groin injury while training in July. He also missed the season opener on Sept. 8, then returned to game action six days later but aggravated the injury in that contest.
Johnson underwent surgery in September with the goal of returning this season. He did so in Chicago's win at Philadelphia on Nov. 28 after missing the prior nine games. But there have been challenges for Johnson despite being healthy enough to play.
While working back toward full health, Johnson has struggled at times in coverage. On Sunday, he allowed a 47-yard completion from Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders to receiver Isaiah Bond deep downfield. It was unlike the Johnson we're used to seeing after he earned Pro Bowl honors the past two seasons.
As the Bears close out their regular season with the hope of making a deep playoff push, Johnson doesn't believe his discomfort will linger.
“It’s one of those where you have to keep stretching it and stretching it out,” Johnson said. “And then it’ll get stronger as time goes on. So, for myself, all I need is more time, more reps.
“Just really continuing to push myself in practice and in the weight room and the training room and whatever I can do to just strengthen my core.”
The Bears (10-4) will host the Packers (9-4-1) on Saturday at Soldier Field in a game in which first place in the NFC North is on the line. To accomplish its goals, Chicago needs Johnson to be a shutdown cornerback once again.
This marks the first time that Johnson has had a winning season in the NFL. But he doesn’t feel any pressure, nor does he want his teammates to endure that.
“Respectfully, we ain’t got no pressure,” Johnson said. “Everybody else was telling us we not supposed to be here. So I mean for us it’s just sticking true to what we know we can do and who we are, and we’ll just continue to play hard and execute at a high level.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.