Jaylon Johnson says 2026 is a contract year with Bears deal still running
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson says he is treating 2026 as a contract year despite being signed through 2027.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
2 min read
Jaylon Johnson is calling 2026 a contract year, even though the Bears cornerback remains under contract for two more seasons. Johnson told ESPN on Aug. 1 that the coming season is “definitely a contract year” for him because of the deal’s cap implications and his need to show he is still among the NFL’s best at his position.
“Whether that’s here, somewhere else, I’ve got to put it on tape that I’m still a top guy in this league,” Johnson said, according to ESPN.
The comment does not mean Johnson’s contract expires after this season. ESPN reported that he has two years left on the four-year, $76 million extension he signed with Chicago in 2024. Spotrac lists the deal as running through 2027, with Johnson eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2028.
Why does Jaylon Johnson call 2026 a contract year?
Johnson’s point is about leverage and evaluation, rather than an immediate trip to free agency. A productive, healthy 2026 could strengthen his case for an early extension or shape what comes next, whether that is in Chicago or elsewhere. ESPN reported that Johnson believes the season he wants to have could lead to negotiations a year ahead of schedule.
That is not the same as a reported Bears decision. There is no indication in the available reporting that Chicago has opened extension talks, sought a trade, or decided to release Johnson.
Spotrac’s third-party contract figures list Johnson with a $24.5 million cap hit and $16 million in cash for 2026. The site also lists $25.6 million in dead cap at a potential 2026 exit point, after two years of the contract.
In NFL contract language, dead money is salary already paid or committed but not yet charged against a team’s salary cap, according to NFL Football Operations. The league says that charge can accelerate onto the current year’s cap when a player is released or retires, subject to rules including the June 1 designation. Those mechanics do not establish that the Bears plan to move on from Johnson.
What is Johnson trying to prove in 2026?
ESPN described Johnson’s 2025 campaign as injury-riddled. A June analysis by Windy City Gridiron said he missed 10 games because of injury and struggled when he was available, but that assessment was opinion analysis, not a statement from the team.
Johnson’s immediate focus is more direct: a season of play that confirms his standing. His present deal remains in place through 2027, but he has made clear that 2026 is the year he expects to put his next case on film.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.