Jaylon Johnson responds to Saquon almost signing with the Bears and wants Myles Garrett in Chicago.
As the NFL continues to evolve, the Chicago Bears find themselves in a critical phase of their rebuild, with every offseason representing an opportunity to make significant strides toward contending for a championship. One of the most intriguing storylines for the Bears recently was the near-signing of star running back Saquon Barkley before he ultimately re-signed with the New York Giants. The potential addition of a player like Barkley would have been a game-changer for Chicago, both in terms of offensive firepower and establishing a more dynamic rushing attack.
However, while the Saquon Barkley saga has drawn attention, Jaylon Johnson, one of the cornerstones of the Bears’ defense, has made waves of his own with bold comments about the direction of the team. Johnson’s remarks — particularly his desire to see star defensive end Myles Garrett join the Bears — highlight his strong passion for making Chicago a true contender in the NFC. In this piece, we’ll dive into Jaylon Johnson’s perspective on Barkley’s near-signing with the Bears, as well as his aspirations to pair with Myles Garrett on a defense that could become one of the league’s most formidable units.
The Saquon Barkley Situation: What Could Have Been for the Bears
Before Saquon Barkley officially signed his franchise tag with the New York Giants, there were reports that he had seriously considered leaving the team. One of the teams rumored to be in the running for Barkley’s services was, in fact, the Chicago Bears. The Bears’ offense had already begun to take shape with quarterback Justin Fields emerging as a dynamic talent, and the addition of a game-changing running back like Barkley would have immediately transformed their backfield into one of the league’s most dangerous.
Barkley is a rare talent. A combination of speed, vision, strength, and receiving ability, he has the potential to be a true three-down back capable of carrying the offense on his shoulders. For the Bears, Barkley would have provided the perfect complement to Justin Fields. Fields, a mobile quarterback with the ability to extend plays, could have relied on Barkley to take some of the pressure off him, both in terms of running the ball and catching passes out of the backfield. The threat of Barkley running the ball would also have opened up opportunities for Fields to work the play-action game, making the offense more unpredictable and explosive.
However, despite the speculation, the Bears ultimately were not able to land Barkley, and he re-signed with the Giants on a one-year, franchise-tag deal, committing to New York for at least another season. In his comments on the matter, Jaylon Johnson expressed his thoughts about what could have been for the Bears had Barkley joined their ranks.
“I don’t think anyone would have been upset to have a guy like Saquon Barkley in Chicago,” Johnson said. “He’s a dynamic playmaker, and when you add a guy like that, it only helps elevate everything around you. But at the end of the day, we’ve got a great group here, and we’re still building. The key is we have to focus on what we can control — and that’s playing great football every week. If Barkley had come, it would have been great, but we know we can still make things happen without him.”
Johnson’s response demonstrates a level of maturity and focus that’s reflective of the mindset within the Bears’ locker room. While the addition of a talent like Barkley would have been exciting, Johnson recognizes that the Bears’ success ultimately hinges on what they already have — the players in the locker room, the coaching staff, and the ongoing development of key personnel like Justin Fields and David Montgomery.
Jaylon Johnson’s Response: The Bigger Picture for the Bears
Jaylon Johnson’s response to the Barkley situation underscores a fundamental aspect of his approach to the game — a focus on improvement and growth rather than the external distractions that often accompany high-profile signings or contract negotiations. In his mind, the Bears have the foundation to succeed, and it’s up to the players and coaches to continue working together toward that ultimate goal.
“At the end of the day, we’re all about playing for each other and building something special,” Johnson explained. “We’re not looking for shortcuts. We’re not looking for a quick fix. We’re focused on building a culture of success, and if we continue to grow, we’ll put ourselves in a position to compete at the highest level.”
Johnson’s leadership within the locker room has been a crucial component of the Bears’ defensive success in recent years. As the team’s No. 1 cornerback, Johnson has emerged as a dynamic force in the secondary, able to lock down opposing wide receivers while providing strong run support. His desire to build something lasting rather than rely on quick fixes, such as signing a marquee free agent like Barkley, speaks to his maturity and understanding of what it takes to create sustained success in the NFL.
Myles Garrett and Jaylon Johnson’s Defensive Aspirations
Perhaps the most intriguing comments from Jaylon Johnson recently came in relation to his desire to see star pass-rusher Myles Garrett join the Bears. Garrett, widely regarded as one of the best defensive players in the NFL, has been a disruptive force for the Cleveland Browns for several seasons. The thought of pairing him with a player like Johnson in Chicago is an exciting one for Bears fans, and Johnson himself has expressed a strong desire to make this hypothetical pairing a reality.
“I’ve said it before — Myles Garrett is a game-changer,” Johnson said in a recent interview. “He’s a guy who can take over a game, and that’s the type of player you want on your team. Having him on the same defense as me would be a dream. We’d be able to put so much pressure on quarterbacks, and with the way our secondary is growing, we’d have a chance to be one of the most dominant defenses in the league.”
The idea of pairing Johnson, who has excelled in pass coverage, with Garrett, a relentless edge rusher, is undoubtedly enticing. Garrett’s ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks could free up Johnson and the rest of the secondary to create turnovers and generate big plays. Similarly, the Bears’ pass rush, led by Garrett, would have a direct impact on the performance of the entire defense.
Garrett’s unique skill set as an edge rusher is something that would complement Johnson’s strengths as a cover corner. By adding Garrett to the mix, the Bears could create a dominant defensive front seven while also locking down opposing passing games. The combination of a strong pass rush and tight coverage could make Chicago’s defense one of the most feared units in the league.
While acquiring Myles Garrett may be a lofty goal for the Bears, it’s clear that Jaylon Johnson is focused on making Chicago’s defense one of the league’s best, regardless of who is added to the roster. Johnson’s confidence and willingness to embrace new challenges speak to his potential as a leader for the Bears both on and off the field.
What’s Next for Jaylon Johnson and the Bears’ Defense
As the Bears continue to build their roster heading into 2025, Jaylon Johnson’s commitment to improving the defense is essential. With Matt Eberflus at the helm, the Bears are aiming to create a more aggressive, opportunistic defense, one that can disrupt opposing offenses and set the tone for games.
The addition of a player like Myles Garrett may not happen in the immediate future, but Johnson’s desire to play alongside such a game-changer shows his commitment to elevating the defense to elite status. The team is also in the process of continuing to develop young talent on defense, with key players like Roquan Smith, Jaylon Johnson, and Eddie Jackson already providing strong leadership and playmaking ability.
For Johnson, the goal is clear: to continue improving as a player, build chemistry with his teammates, and make the Bears’ defense one of the best in the NFL. If he and his teammates can stay healthy and continue to progress, the Bears could very well find themselves in the playoff mix, with one of the top defensive units in the league.
