Jaylon Johnson’s groin injury has changed everything for the Chicago Bears, and not in a minor way.
Johnson isn’t just the team’s top corner, he’s the leader of the secondary and arguably the team’s best overall player. When he’s on the field, the defense can gamble a little more and trust that he’ll hold his own in one-on-one matchups, which he has done consistently well.
In 2023, he was one of the top two corners in football by PFF’s metrics, allowing opposing quarterbacks to post a passer rating that barely cracked the 30s. Now that he’s out indefinitely, the defense already looks like it’s unraveling without him.
Two weeks into the season, Chicago is surrendering nearly 40 points per game and giving up almost 10 yards a throw. Tyrique Stevenson has been a disappointing non-factor, Kyler Gordon can’t stay healthy and the rest of the depth behind them is full of question marks, particularly with Terell Smith done for the year.
Should the Chicago Bears Sign CB Asante Samuel Jr.?
Should the Bears sign free agent CB Asante Samuel Jr.?
The most recognizable name with probably the best talent on the free agent market at the cornerback position, Asante Samuel Jr. is still recovering from injury and may not be ready until halfway through the season,” Bears Wire’s Mike Pendleton wrote on September 16.
“If Chicago wanted to get aggressive in addressing their secondary, they could jump on Samuel before he’s completely healthy, keeping him away from other teams, but with the understanding that they’ll have to bring in more than just him as they await him to recover from a shoulder injury suffered last season.”
Since entering the league as a second-round pick for the Chargers in 2021, Samuel has played in 50 games (all starts) and logged over 2,800 defensive snaps. He’s racked up six interceptions, 37 passes defended and 176 total tackles.
He posted double-digit pass breakups in two of his first three seasons, and in 2024 he allowed an 87.3 passer rating when targeted prior to his injury.
Many remember Samuel for having one of the most dominant playoff performances by a corner in recent memory when he hauled in three interceptions in the first half of the Chargers’ wild-card game against Jacksonville in 2022. Even when the Chargers collapsed in that game, Samuel didn’t, playing sticky coverage throughout.
What About Samuel’s Current Injury?
Samuel had neck surgery in April and is expected to get medical clearance around October. The Bears would still be without a proven starter for several weeks, but at least they could inject him into the lineup midseason.
There’s also a potential upside beyond 2025 for the Bears. If Samuel comes in and proves he’s healthy and can still play at a high level, Chicago would be getting an extended audition for a 24-year-old corner with long-term value.
His presence would also help give defensive coordinator Dennis Allen a chance to run the aggressive defense he was hired to build. Jaylon’s loss is massive, but pairing him with Samuel next year could give the Bears one of the most dangerous CB tandems in football.
Samuel will likely sign an incentive-heavy deal—probably somewhere between $7 and $9 million. Chicago has enough flexibility to swing it.
If Johnson were only week-to-week, you could talk yourself into staying the course. But with their top cover corner out for what is likely the remainder of the year, the Bears need to do something. Adding Samuel would be a risk, but it could be one worth taking.
Jaylon Johnson Injury Could Push Bears to Sign 24-Year-Old CB With 50 Starts