At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I’ll repeat (again) that it doesn’t bother me as much as others when players don’t show up for voluntary workouts. But it sure feels good when everyone is around. And I definitely feels better to see that cornerback Jaylon Johnson has joined his teammates at Halas Hall for this round of OTAs:
Johnson, 24, is a three-year starter on the Bears defense and a leader in the locker room. His absence from voluntary minicamp practices was a topic of conversation in recent weeks because he hadn’t been with the team during the first two rounds of OTAs. Johnson would go on to explain his absence, then proclaim he would be in attendance for this batch of practices. And for what it’s worth, Johnson was true to his word and showed up at today’s practice. All is well that ends well, right?
With Johnson arriving, the Bears will get their first look at a refurbished starting secondary that features second-year players Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker, veteran Eddie Jackson, and second-round rookie Tyrique Stevenson. This collection of secondary talent should make Chicago’s defensive backfield a strength. Maybe I’d see it that way even if Jaylon wasn’t around this week. But it is so much easier to see with No. 33 in the fold.
Now that Johnson is back, how about ironing out an extension? Johnson has expressed an interest in staying in Chicago at multiple stops. So … let’s work something out.