Jaylon Johnson is the Bears' lone Pro Bowl representative

Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune on Jan 2, 2025

Published in Football

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CHICAGO — Jaylon Johnson wasn’t so certain Wednesday whether a second trip to the Pro Bowl would be in the cards for him this season.

“I’m always hopeful,” the Chicago Bears cornerback said. “But I wouldn’t be surprised if it doesn’t work out.”

That’s just the way it often goes during a last-place season with so many more team lowlights than triumphs. But on Thursday morning, Johnson’s spirits lifted. He was named to the NFC Pro Bowl roster as the Bears’ lone representative.

The other NFC cornerbacks honored were the Minnesota Vikings’ Byron Murphy, the Seattle Seahawks’ Devon Witherspoon and the Carolina Panthers’ Jaycee Horn.

“It feels good,” Johnson said after practice Thursday in Lake Forest. “This one definitely feels better than last year, just with everything that’s going on this season. I’m just honored. God definitely blessed me with this one.”

Through 16 games, Johnson has two interceptions and seven passes defensed plus seven tackles for a loss. He has remained one of the league’s most reliable cornerbacks, frequently forcing quarterbacks to throw away from him.

According to Pro Football Reference, Johnson has been targeted just 52 times this season, tied for 113th in the NFL. On those passes, he has allowed 34 completions for 461 yards and two touchdowns with an opposing passer rating of 90.3.

Johnson had a much more impressive season in 2023, recording four interceptions and limiting quarterbacks to a 50.9 rating on balls thrown his way. Still, he played well enough this year to earn a return to the Pro Bowl.

Before the rosters were announced, Johnson was asked Wednesday whether he felt his season had merited that honor.

“It’s been solid,” he said. “It’s hard (to be recognized) with limited targets. I’m looking at the whole body of work. It’s hard to make plays on the ball when you barely get targeted. Just with that itself, that’s what (often) gets you the Pro Bowl votes — making plays, having those interceptions and numbers and things like that.

“But I feel like overall I have played solid. I definitely could’ve done some things better, but I did a lot of good too.”

Johnson acknowledged Thursday that the outside recognition struck a chord.

“That’s why you play the game,” he said. “You play the game to be the best in the world. To be considered that again, two years in a row, and having that recognition definitely means a lot.

“I’m going to continue to be myself and continue to do what I do, and that’s play at a high level. With or without the recognition, I’m going to continue to be me.”

With 44 players selected from each conference, the Pro Bowl will take place in Orlando, Fla., culminating with a Feb. 2 flag football exhibition.

Johnson was one of 17 NFC North players honored. The Detroit Lions had a conference-best seven players selected, including five on offense: quarterback Jared Goff, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, right tackle Penei Sewell and center Frank Ragnow. The Vikings had six players honored and the Green Bay Packers had three.

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