One thing that cannot be held against the Pittsburgh Steelers early in the 2023 NFL season is their secondary stepping up when it matters most.
Whether it’s Minkah Fitzpatrick and Alex Highsmith tag-teaming a pick-6 on Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson or Joey Porter Jr. keeping Lamar Jackson from notching his fifth passing TD of the season and sealing a Week 5 victory, the DBs have done their job.
However, with veteran Patrick Peterson playing in his age 33 season and multiple pending free agents at the position in 2024, Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger has pointed to Chicago Bears CB Jaylon Johnson as a potential free agent target next offseason.
“Johnson is stuck playing a lot of soft zone and off coverage in Chicago and it doesn’t appear to fit his skillset all that well. Pittsburgh traded for William Jackson III at last year’s deadline as he grew frustrated with the defense in Washington, and perhaps that could apply here too,” Spielberger wrote.
A Levi Wallace Departure Could Open the Door for Johnson
Johnson, 24, is nearing the end of his four-year, $6.4 million contract and his 32 career passes defended make him a prime candidate to replace team leader Levi Wallace should the latter seek greener pastures at the end of his deal.
Back in August 2022, Johnson detailed a principle that he and his Bears teammates have implemented in the secondary, backing up his ambitious goal to bring in a lot of interceptions:
“I mean that’s all we really preach. That’s all we really talk about, is the HITS principle,” Johnson told ChicagoBears.com. “Really just, really trying our best to perform that and make that natural, make that a habit. But I really feel like it’s going to come down to us giving the offense good field position. Us changing the game and creating turnovers, giving them the ball back. I feel like that’s really gonna test who we are as a defense: getting stops, turning the ball over.”
Hustle, intensity, takeaways and playing smart are great personifications of Johnson’s game. Through five games, he’s on pace to set a career-high in tackles (46), which he set in 2021.
After his teammate Tremaine Edmunds botched a tackle against Tampa Bay Bucs TE David Wells in the third quarter of their Week 2 matchup, Johnson quickly recovered on the play and punched the ball out of his grasp for his first career forced fumble. He has checked those boxes.
A Contract Extension Could Shut the Door on Pittsburgh’s Chances
Pro Football Focus has given Johnson an 80.1 player grade through Week 5, and his sharpness in reading pass plays fits the Steelers’ culture to a tee. A lucrative multi-year extension could put an end to this speculation quick, fast and in a hurry, but for now, the door remains open.
When Johnson was questioned in August about the prospect of getting a deal done in Chicago, he said:
“I’m just, I’m not worried about it. I’m going out and playing my game, like I said, I’m trying to get a lot of interceptions this year. That’s what I’m focused on. The contract will come when it comes. If it don’t, it don’t but if it does, then it does.”
Interceptions are the one thing that Johnson is missing in his otherwise impressive resume. His lone interception dates back to 2021 so there’s cause for him to be laser-focused on that and cause for the Bears to view that as a reason to let him walk next spring.
Pittsburgh can’t afford for their secondary to regress and add to an offense that’s failing to reach its maximum potential and hearing it from the fans. Expect management to keep their elite DB rotation intact or pursue Johnson for support.
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Steelers Pitched as Ideal Fit for Bears CB Jaylon Johnson