Overview
- Ben Johnson pulled Jaylon Johnson aside late in training camp and told him the team had a chance to win the Super Bowl, a conversation Johnson says changed his competitive outlook.
- Coaches reported a visible shift in Johnson’s demeanor and leadership late in camp, including a moment when he gathered teammates to challenge their effort.
- Team tracking showed Johnson reach roughly 21 miles per hour on sprints in camp, a sign reporters and the club cite as evidence of his return to full health.
- Johnson’s bounce-back is seen as important because he carries a four-year, $76 million extension and had a down, injury-limited 2025 season with a 58.7 PFF grade.
- Chicago’s Week 1 matchup vs. the Carolina Panthers and receiver Tetairoa McMillan will be an early test of whether Johnson can restore the shutdown corner play the Bears need for their title push.