Getty The Bears selected rookie CB Jaylon Johnson in the second round of the NFL Draft this year. (Photo by NFL via Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears have officially signed their 2020 draft class, including tight end Cole Kmet, cornerback Jaylon Johnson and offensive tackle Lachavious Simmons, two of whom announced their signings via their social media pages. The team made the signings official Tuesday afternoon.
Signed.
Sealed.
Let’s get to work, rooks!
“This day was written a long time ago,” Johnson captioned along with a photo of himself and his contract via Twitter. Simmons broke the news on his Instagram page. The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain broke the news that Kmet had also signed.
I’m told Bears TE Cole Kmet has signed his rookie contract.
This day was written a long time ago! Never questioned God just thanked him.🖊 #NeverBrokeAgain #RAREBREED #GSLB
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Bears Rookie Contract Details: How Much Will They Make?
GettyNFL tight end Cole Kmet, wearing headphones, was selected by the Chicago Bears during the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft on April 24, 2020. (Photo by NFL via Getty Images) (Photo by Handout/NFL via Getty Images)
What will the contracts look like for Johnson, Simmons, Kmet and company? Details haven’t been released just yet, but Pro Football Focus and salary cap expert Brad Spielberger threw out this ball park estimate in relation to Simmons’ contract: it should be a four-year $3.4 million deal with a signing bonus around $100,000 and a 2020 cap hit of $635,000. The Bears selected Simmons in the seventh round with the 227th overall pick.
Johnson, who was selected by Chicago 50th overall, will get a heftier deal, as will most other draft picks, including top selection, tight end Kmet. Spielberger has Johnson’s rookie deal coming in at around four-years for $6.5 million, with a 2020 cap hit of $1.1 million. Johnson’s 2020 and 2021 base salaries will be fully guaranteed.
Spielberger also shared his thoughts on what Kmet’s contract could look like: a four-year, $7.5 million with a 2020 cap hit of around $1.3 million and, like Johnson, his 2020 and 2021 salaries are guaranteed upon signing with the team.
Bears Rookies Scheduled to Report to Camp July 21
All Bears rookies are slated to report to Halas Hall today, so it was only a matter of time before the team announced they had officially signed them to the squad. Wide receiver Darnell Mooney, corner Kindle Vildor, linebacker Trevis Gipson and offensive lineman Arlington Hambright also signed their deals today.
Johnson, who fell to the second round of the draft after a shoulder injury scared some teams away, thinks he should have been selected in the far earlier than he was. “Honestly, I couldn’t tell you exactly where I thought I should go in the first round, but definitely somewhere in that mix,” he said in April.
He has also shared some pretty lofty goals for his rookie campaign. “Definitely become a starter, that’s one,” Johnson said before listing more. “Two, I want to be … Rookie Defensive Player of the Year, and to win a Super Bowl.”
One step at a time, rookie. One step at a time.
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