The franchise tag didn't last long for Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson after the team announced Thursday that they agreed to a four-year extension to keep him in the Windy City long-term.
Johnson's extension is priced at $76 million with $54 million guaranteed, according to ESPN. Four-year calculations put Johnson's average annual value at $19 million per season.
Johnson was the Bears' choice to receive the franchise tag ahead of the March 5, 4 p.m. deadline, although both sides reportedly wanted to continue working on a long-term deal.
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Cornerback Jaylon Johnson and the Chicago Bears agreed to a four-year contract extension. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
During the 2023 season, Johnson had submitted a request to be traded by the Bears before the NFL deadline, but Chicago general manager Ryan Poles kept him on the roster. Since then, they've been rebuilding their relationship, and the Bears clearly value the 2020 second-round pick to keep him in the team's secondary for years to come.
The decision to hire Johnson long-term is something the Poles alluded to last week, when he expressed confidence in reaching a deal.
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It is the third long-term agreement that the Poles have made for their team's defense. He landed running back Montez Sweat on a four-year, $98 million deal following a trade with the Washington Commanders last season. And he signed linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to a four-year, $72 million deal in free agency this time last year.
Johnson had requested a transfer during the 2023 season. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
The Bears still have ample cap space to work with this offseason, although the Poles will continue to focus on having two first-round picks in this year's NFL Draft, including the No. 1 overall pick.
It also remains to be seen what the Poles will do with quarterback Justin Fields, given speculation that the team will select one of the top QB prospects available with that first pick.
As for Johnson, he earned his big payday after a season in which he had four interceptions, one of which was a pick-six, defended 10 passes and racked up 36 combined tackles in 14 starts. He earned second-team All-Pro honors and also made his first Pro Bowl.
Johnson had a career year in 2023. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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Johnson will turn 25 in April and is a young piece the rebuilding Bears believe can anchor a secondary that includes cornerback Kyler Gordon, safety Jaquan Brisker and defensive back Elijah Hicks. He could also get more help in free agency, where safeties in particular are available.
