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Bears’ Jaylon Johnson gets brutally honest on performance vs. Panthers
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Now healthy, the Chicago Bears are counting on Jaylon Johnson to lead their cornerback room. But to do so, Johnson knows he needs to improve on his performance from Week 1.
The Carolina Panthers threw for 353 yards and three touchdowns against the Bears. While Johnson can’t take the blame for all the secondary’s struggles, he had numerous plays where the wide receiver got behind him.
#Panthers put Jaylon Johnson in a brine cause he’s getting cooked. #Bears pic.twitter.com/zRvXsph2Dp
— Jordan Sigler (@JordanSig) September 13, 2026
Luckily for the cornerback, his team bailed him out by dropping 59 on offense. Moving forward though, the Bears need Johnson to step up. Especially if he is going to be tasked with guarding opposing team’s top wide receivers.
Johnson is prepared to do whatever it takes to improve his game. He knows the Week 1 outing doesn’t tell the full story.
Bears’ Jaylon Johnson ready to bounce back
Johnson’s 2025 season was marred by a nagging groin injury. There was some rust remaining upon his 2026 return. The cornerback is aware and ready to shake off his Week 1 performance, via Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
“I wasn’t into it how I needed to be, mentally or physically,” Johnson said. “I think it just trickled through the defense.”
Johnson will need to find his footing in a hurry, as the Bears face Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2. The cornerback will be tasked with shutting him down as much as possible. Johnson knows that won’t be easy.
“I don’t think there’s a flaw to his game,” Johnson said of Jefferson.
The Bears secondary star was a Pro Bowler in 2023 and 2024. While his focus is more on improving and winner rather than accolades, Chicago needs Johnson to return to that level in Week 2 and beyond.
If Johnson reverts to his dominant form, the Bears won’t be taken as lightly on defense. But continued struggles will have Week 1’s performance on replay.
The post Bears’ Jaylon Johnson gets brutally honest on performance vs. Panthers appeared first on ChiCitySports.
