New Chicago Bears cornerback leaning on Jaylon Johnson guidance

Jaylon Johnson is the clear leader of the Chicago Bears cornerback room. After being acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons, Clark Phillips III has already learned to turn to Johnson for guidance.

It isn’t the first time their paths have crossed, as both cornerbacks played their college ball at Utah. Now officially NFL teammates, Phillips has been learning on Johnson to help get acclimated in Chicago, via Mason Williams of the Times of Northwest Indiana.

“He’s been someone that I lean on, you know?” Phillips said.

“After practice just (Wednesday), we were talking about the nuances and the fine things in the defense that I need to be aware of from the inside perspective and the outside perspective,” he continued, “and how we fit and all those things.”

With a clean bill of health, Johnson will be looking to return to his Pro Bowl form. Along the way, he’ll be tasked with helping develop Chicago’s other cornerbacks. Phillips will be able to see firsthand what it takes to succeed in the NFL.

Clark Phillips joins Jaylon Johnson on Chicago Bears

Phillips is set to play a versatile role with the Bears. The majority of his experience with the Falcons came on the outside. But the Bears are planning to see what the cornerback offers at nickel as well. Either way, the defensive back will be counted on to make a difference.

Over his three years in Atlanta, encompassing 28 games with seven starts, Phillips put up 63 tackles, 10 passes defended and an interception. While a triceps injury essentially wiped out his entire 2025, the Bears were at least impressed with his previous body of work.

Now it’s up to Phillips to find his place in Chicago’s secondary. The Bears are hoping he can make an immediate impact. As he finds his footing in the Windy City, the cornerback will always have Johnson’s support.

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