Why Jaylon Johnson deserves to sign an extension with the Chicago Bears

Jaylon Johnson is now officially carrying the franchise tag thanks to the Chicago Bears. Although it does preclude Johnson from going unsigned, the parties are still in the process of working out a long-term deal. Johnson cannot begin playing on the tag until the middle of July, unless an agreement is reached between the two parties. The Bears would be wise to extend Johnson even though he might wind up doing that.

First, $19.8 million is the franchise tag, which exceeds the salary ceiling. The Chicago Bears can cover the first year or so of his deal by offering a signing bonus if they choose to extend him. The pay cap will then have increased when the bigger money comes in.

In addition, the Bears have to believe he will perform well if they decide to franchise tag him. The squad will be in the same position if Johnson plays as well as he did this year, or even marginally worse. They might need to franchise tag him a second time. The problem with that is that if they wish to tag him again next year, the tag would increase by 120%. Again, the team could offset it with a signing bonus. it would come out to $23.76M against the cap.

Consequently, if all goes according to plan, the Bears will cost $43.56 million and be signed for two years. Three cornerbacks in recent years have signed large deal extensions: Jaire Alexander, Jalen Ramsey, and Denzel Ward.

Denzel Ward earns $20.1 million, Jaire Alexander $21 million, and Jalen Ramsey $20 million annually. Johnson will earn $21.78 million a year for the two years he is tagged by the Bears. If Johnson performs well in 2024, the Bears will already be setting the market.

It seems logical that the Chicago Bears wouldn’t extend him if they are concerned that he may fall off entirely. But because contributing $43 million over the first two years would nearly guarantee completion of the pact, why not push it through to completion and grant yourself the financial leeway over the following few seasons?