Bears CB Jaylon Johnson 'tired' of upside entering 2024: 'It's about action at this point'

Optimism is whirling in the Windy City entering 2024, but Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson would rather provide results.

“I’m tired of just having upside and having potential,” Johnson said Saturday, via the Chicago Sun-Times. “I want to be in a position where we actually go out there and we are that, and not just what we’re projected to be.

At this stage, it’s all about taking action. The forecasts, the energy, the excitement are all great initially because every person, every team, every fan declares, ‘This is our year.’

Johnson contributes significantly to the rising expectations. The lockdown coverage provided by the 25-year-old was crucial for a defense that improved notably in the second half of the 2023 season. This helped the Bears secure victories in five of their final eight matches, allowing them to enter the offseason with a positive perspective.

Chicago’s picture got even rosier following an offensive overhaul during the offseason. The Bears made bold moves by trading for wideout Keenan Allen and signing running back D’Andre Swift, but those moves merely preceded the highlight addition of No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, a quarterback prospect destined to bring franchise-altering hype. Selecting WR Rome Odunze eight picks later in the first round only furthered the excitement.

Williams expressed his excitement on Friday, as reported in the team transcript, about being able to work with such a diverse group of people. He praised the mix of experienced veterans and promising young players like Rome (Odunze) and others who joined the team either through the draft or as free agents. He also acknowledged that talent alone isn’t enough and emphasized the need for teamwork, trust, and collective effort to achieve success.

Johnson, who was part Chicago’s progressive offseason via a four-year, $76 million contract extension, has yet to see a winning season during his four years with the Bears. Their journey toward that goal began on Saturday as veterans reported for training camp. They’ll be relying on rookies to help get them there, but now is the time to put it all together in order to reach new heights.

“We have to step out and demonstrate our worth,” stated Johnson. “I believe that it kicks off from Day 1, beginning with this Saturday. However, it’s an ongoing process that will continue until the season’s end, regardless of whether we make it to the playoffs or not.”