Some of the NFL’s best players from the 2024 season, including Minkah Fitzpatrick and Miles Killebrew from the Pittsburgh Steelers, have gathered down in Orlando, Florida for the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games. The Steelers already had one highlight this week, when Killebrew won the “High Stakes” challenge on Thursday night.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers may be looking at Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson
The Pro Bowl Games allow for the media to have in-person access to the league’s best and can certainly allow for some interesting quotes to be reported on. Grant Gordon from the NFL's official website was on the receiving end of a quote that should garner some interest from Steeler Nation. The quote was from a potential high-priority free agent for the Steelers in the 2024 offseason: Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
Gordon caught up with Johnson at the Pro Bowl and asked him about his impending free agency. Johnson would be a huge piece for the Steelers and would vastly improve their cornerback group. What Johnson said during his conversation with Gordon could be something that caught the attention of the Steelers' front office.
"Heart's definitely in Chicago, mind's definitely on the money," Johnson told said. "So, I mean, we'll figure out if we can make them both come together and get something done. I'm looking forward to see what's to come."
This isn't exactly a statement that points to Johnson having a strong desire to remain loyal to the Bears. The Bears and Johnson have tried to agree on a contract extension in the past, but they did not get far. That also led to trade rumors throughout the 2024 season. These rumors included the Steelers reportedly having an interest in Johnson. Now that Johnson is set to his free agency, it would only make sense for Omar Khan to pursue Johnson again.
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Jaylon Johnson makes an interception for the Chicago Bears
Johnson, just 24 years old, is coming off his best season as a pro. In 14 games, Johnson recorded 36 tackles, 10 passes defended, four interceptions as well as one forced fumble and a touchdown. Johnson seemed to be most proud of improving his playmaking ability regarding creating turnovers.
"Probably the only thing I have [against myself] was not getting turnovers," he said. "But now, this year I started getting some turnovers, creating. I feel like I've always been an exceptional cover guy, so just being able to impact the game and make plays in the air is something I wanted to do, and I went out and did that. And now everybody knows I can take the ball away. So, I feel like there's really not a box I can't check."
Johnson had only had one career interception coming into the 2023 season. This tremendous year led to Johnson being named to the Pro Bowl and Second-Team Team All-Pro. After a season as great as his, it is only natural that Johnson should feel that he is one of the best in the league.
"No doubt. No doubt," Johnson said when asked if he believed he had established himself as one of the best corners in the league. "I think just, like I was saying, just through my career, just continuing to get better, continuing to get better."
When asked how he was able to make this jump that took his career to the next level, Johnson gave a great answer.
"For me, I think it was just sticking true to the script," Johnson said of his breakout season. "I thought if we just kept the work consistent, continued to work and continued to keep my head down and being able to let the world see who I am and the things that I can do. So, I was just blessed for that opportunity.
Johnson could not have asked for a better season to have right before free agency and is now in line for a major payday. He believes he is one of the best corners in the league and surely wants to be paid as such.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. getting the home crowd hype at Acrisure Stadium in Week 5 of 2023 against the Baltimore Ravens
According to Spotrac, Johnson is projected to receive a five-year contract worth more than $78 million. That would be an average annual value of over $15 million per year. That may seem like a steep price to pay for the Steelers, but pairing Johnson with Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist Joey Porter Jr. would make for quite the dynamic duo for the Steelers to have at the cornerback position.
What do you think? Should the Steelers pay up for Johnson? Let us know in the comments below.
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