Amazing things are happening for the Chicago Bears’ defense because Jalyon Johnson shuts down an entire side of the field.
In five games, receivers covered by Johnson have been targeted just 17 times. Opponents aren’t bothering with throws to his side of the field. Thus far, Johnson has notched two interceptions, two pass breakups and surrendered a paltry 33.1 passer rating in balls thrown his way.
He’s the third-ranked cornerback by Pro Football Focus and his presence makes everyone on defense better.
Ever since Andy Dalton took over the Panthers' offense from Bryce Young, Dionte Johnson has been on a heater. Yet, Johnson had just three catches for 23 yards, and Next Gen Stats had his average receiver separation at 0 yards.
There's more separation between cars jam-packed onto the Kennedy at rush hour. Jaylon Johnson covers receivers better than that seemingly permanent red line that covers our busiest traffic routes on Google Maps.
Let that statistic sink in for a second.
It's a league where every defensive rule is skewed towards the offense. Touch a receiver past five yards and expect an illegal contact penalty. When a pass is in the air, any contact between a defender and offensive player likely prompts an official to pull the yellow laundry from their belt and toss it on the field for a pass interference penalty. Let’s not forget the defensive holding which results in an automatic first down, too.
Because he can blanket a receiver, Johnson has made the Bear’s pass rush more effective.
If the quarterback holds the ball just a tick longer, it gives Montez Sweat the extra split-second he needs to rush off the edge. Average league separation from the quarterback, again according to Next Gen Stats, by a defensive lineman is 4.57 yards, Sweat ‘s is 3.83. Gervon Dexter is 4.02 yards.
Both linemen are closing in faster than the rest of the league, but with Johnson in coverage, the quarterback has to process to a second or third read. That’s enough time to get home with a sack.
Something the Bears did to Dalton three times and Young once on Sunday.
The Andy Dalton pass chart means opportunity
Playing on the opposite side of Jaylon Johnson puts a corner or nickel on notice. There are plenty of passes that will be thrown to your side.
Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson had a busy game in coverage and held up as Dalton only threw for 136 yards. Young came in to mop things up in garbage time to the tune of 58 yards.
The avoidance of Johnson, of opposing quarterbacks being unable or unwilling to risk throws to his side of the field, is like a pro golfer knowing their miss. It’s best to eliminate one side of the hole, play a draw to eliminate the right, or a cut to avoid the left.
What is most important is to know your shot and play it time-and-time again. The Bears have done that. Opponents will avoid Jaylon Johnson. They’ll risk throws at Gordon and Stevenson. It’s a brilliant concept when it comes to team design.
It was a Ryan Pace pick, Jaylon Johnson, second round, No. 50 in the 2020 NFL Draft. But, in a passing league, it was Ryan Poles that made Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker second-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. A year later Poles went for Stevenson at No. 50 in the Draft.
Today, the Bears have a secondary that is built for the modern NFL and it all started with Jaylon Johnson.
