BREAKING: Chicago Bears Star Defender Demands Out Before 2023 Trade Deadline

The Chicago Bears had a lot of optimism heading into the 2023 season but sitting with a 2-6 record before the NFL Trade Deadline was not what they were hoping for. With some talent wanting to figure out what is coming next, there have been some discussions about trading away talent.

One player who has been a star for the Chicago Bears has been cornerback Jaylon Johnson. He was in contract negotiations for a new deal with the Bears last week but the two sides were not close to a deal according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. With no new deal looking to happen, Johnson has decided to request a trade with less than 24 hours before the 2023 NFL Trade Deadline.

Johnson has been a star on the field as he has 18 total tackles, one forced fumble, a pair of interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and four pass deflections. He could be a great secondary option for any team looking for a corner as the trade deadline inches closer.

Expect general manager Ryan Poles to be working the phones in order to get as good of a package for the talented corner as possible. Johnson is a free agent after the season so if he is moved, it is likely he would be looking for an extension if and when the trade happens.

With the talent on the roster, one team that should be on the phone with the Chicago Bears is the Baltimore Ravens. They need some help in the secondary and are playing well with a 6-2 record. The only issue is the Ravens only have five picks as the Bears already hold their second and fifth-round picks from the Roaquon Smith trade.

They can always trade 2025 draft capital as they have all but their 2025 sixth-round pick as well to move. This feels like the ultimate landing spot for the young and talented corner that would work well for both sides.

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LAKE FOREST, Ill., — Chicago Bears defensive back Jaylon Johnson has made it known he wants to stay with the franchise and work out a long-term deal ahead of this offseason. But with Tuesday’s trade deadline rapidly approaching, things have changed in a hurry.

Per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Johnson has officially requested a trade from the Bears after negotiations between the two sides have gone nowhere. Johnson is now expected to be traded ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.

Last week Johnson revealed that contract talks were ongoing between the two sides. Then days later on Thursday had this to say bout the process:

“We’re going to see by the end of this weekend,” Johnson said “I know at the end of the day, it’s all the he says, she says, we’re in talks, we’re not in talks, at the end of the day we’re going to see if something gets done by the trade deadline, if I happen to get traded and I get traded; if not, then I get extended, hopefully, and if not, then I’ve just got to continue to play. There’s plenty of options that this can go in but we’re all going to see. I’m waiting to see as well.”

The defensive back also said he felt like negotiation process was going slower than he expected.

Johnson was selected by the Bears as a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft out of Utah. In four seasons with the Bears, Johnson has appeared in 45 games, starting in all of them. He started right away in Week 1 back in the 2020 season and has developed into one of the top corners in the league. Going into Week 9 against Los Angeles, Johnson allowed just a 22.2 passer rating against this season, the best in the NFL among defensive backs.