Jaylon Johnson and His All-Pro Bid
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson had self-assigned goals of a big new contract through free agency or otherwise and All-Pro status.
Well, the money might still come his way at season's end. This will be a matter for the market place.
Asked if he is still on track for All-Pro status, his response this week at Halas Hall was: "100 percent."
It's always possible but All-Pro tends to be achieved according to both statistics and reputation.
All-Pro is a status diluted by numerous organizations trying to get their own 2 cents worth in over the years but there is only one original and recognized All-Pro and that is the one conveyed upon players through the Associated Press. There are four players chosen at each position regardless of conference and two are first team and two are second team. It's an honor named since 1940 and is the longest-running selection for players. Others done are through the Pro Football Writers Association, The Sporting News and Pro Football Focus but are not officially recognized as All-Pro.
Johnson hasn't looked at the competition much, just his own production.
"You know, I don't look at anything," Johnson said. "I'm not on social media. I don't know what is going on out there. I know I'm playing the game at a high level. That's it."
Johnson does have two interceptions and four pass breakups. He had been the top cornerback for coverage according to Pro Football Focus but that order has been altered greatly, partly due to the excellent game New Orleans' cornerback Paulson Adebo enjoyed against Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent with two interceptions. Adebo is now No. 1 for PFF, but Johnson slid to No. 6 overall.
Normally two interceptions hasn't disqualified anyone. Sauce Gardner made only two picks last year but had 20 pass breakups. Patrick Surtain II was the other first-team All-Pro cornerback last year and had just two interceptions but 10 pass breakups. However, the second-team cornerback was Jaire Alexander with five interceptions and 14 pass breakups and James Bradberry of the Eagles with three interceptions and 17 pass breakups.
On the last three All-Pro teams, no one made it with less than nine pass defenses or breakups, although there were four who made it with two interceptions or less.
So the thought that Jaylon Johnson's effective play chases targets to the other side of the field might be legitimate for explaining why he has fewer pass defenses now than in years past. However, it's not necessarily something voters for All-Pro give credit folr when there are players with bigger numbers.
Currently, there are eight cornerbacks with more interceptions than Johnson. All of them have more pass defenses, as well.
- DaRon Bland, Dallas, 5 interceptions, 11 pass defenses
- Paulson Adebo, New Orleans, 4 interceptions, 13 pass defenses
- Cam Taylor-Britt, Cincinnati, 4 interceptions, 9 pass defenses
- Steven Nelson, Houston, 3 interceptions, 5 pass defenses
- Byron Murphy, Minnesota, 3 interceptions, 12 pass defenses
- Kenny Moore, Indianapolis, 3 interceptions, 5 pass defenses
- Darioius Williams, Jacksonville, 3 interceptions, 15 pass defenses
- Jerry Jacobs, Detroit, 3 interceptions, 7 pass defenses
"I mean at the end of the day, man, I still got goals before any of this contract stuff came up," Johnson said. "I dreamed as a kid to be an All-Pro.
"I play this game, I train, I put myself through hell during the offseason to be an All-Pro. It's not just, 'Oh, I want to do it just because.' Nah, I'm a man and I compete and play the game at a high level and that's what it's about. I know it's going to come with that when I do get it and that's that."
It could take more interceptions and/or pass defenses, but Johnson has seven more games to address this, beginning with the Lions on Sunday.
Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven
