Throughout his career with the Chicago Bears, cornerback Jaylon Johnson has been one of the premier players at his position, although injuries of late, especially in the 2025 season, have derailed his availability.
Johnson has been the Bears top corner for the last several seasons, and there had been plenty of excitement about what he could do in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s system. But he was limited to just seven games due to a groin injury that bothered him all season, going back to the 2025 offseason. With a high premium on cornerbacks in today’s NFL, Johnson’s inability to stay on the field saw him get knocked down the rankings list of his position group.
ESPN released their Top 10 rankings at the cornerback position, where Johnson was only listed as an honorable mention. Here are the Top 10 cornerbacks according to ESPN: Pat Surtain (Broncos), Derek Stingley Jr. (Texans), Christian Gonzalez (Patriots), Devon Witherspoon (Seahawks), Trent McDuffie (Rams), Quinyon Mitchell (Eagles), Denzel Ward (Browns), Jaycee Horn (Panthers), Sauce Gardner (Colts), and Cooper DeJean (Eagles).
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Caleb Williams on moment he got comfortable in Ben Johnson’s offense
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) talks with head coach Ben Johnson during Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Caleb Williams on moment he got comfortable in Ben Johnson’s offense
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) talks with head coach Ben Johnson during Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) stretches during Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive back Skyler Thomas (38) warms up during Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive lineman Jaren Kump stretches during Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson walks on the field during Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive lineman Jaren Kump (64) warms up during Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
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Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson walks on the field during Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
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Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Kalif Raymond (14) runs during Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (23) warms up during Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (10) warms up during Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up during Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up during Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Caleb Williams on moment he got comfortable in Ben Johnson’s offense
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) looks to pass the ball during Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) looks to pass the ball during Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
1 Bears player to watch at each position on offense in training camp
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive lineman Jaren Kump (L) and Garrett Bradbury (R) train during Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears line backer Wayne Matthews III runs with the ball (35) during Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive lineman Caden Barnett (76) runs on the field during Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift (4) runs with the ball during Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
1 Bears player to watch at each position on offense in training camp
Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Zavion Thomas (81) passes the ball during Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Here’s what an NFL personnel evaluator told ESPN about Johnson: “Time on task has been an issue. He missed a lot of camp and game action. But he’s young (27), so he should be able to get back to his top form. He’s got juice when he’s full tilt.”
Johnson’s health and availability is crucial to the Bears defense this season, as well as his teammate in the secondary, Kyler Gordon. Allen did the best he could with plenty of injury replacements across the entire defense last season, and although the Bears led the NFL in takeaways last year, they also were a very susceptible defense allowing big plays and plenty of points.
If Johnson and Gordon can get back to their normal standard of play and clean health, Chicago’s defense should get a big boost in the secondary.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears’ Jaylon Johnson misses cut on ESPN’s list of top 10 cornerbacks
