Difficult Situation Brewing with Jaylon Johnson?

Justin Fields probably feels a little different about the future than some others at this point, chiefly Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson.

"I'm not worried about contracts, I'm worried about wins," Fields said Tuesday at Bears organized team activities. "I could care less."

Fields isn't up for a contract extension, yet, anyway. Johnson and a few other Bears are.

And Johnson has apparently decided not to be involved in voluntary offseason work. He's not in attendance at OTAs but coach Matt Eberflus doesn't think this means it will end the way last year's contract standoff with Roquan Smith did—a trade.

"Yeah, I don't see it that way," Eberflus said.

"Yeah, to me it's just a voluntary deal. You know that is the way it is with the CBA and that's where it is, and there's nothing you can do to get upset about it. Guys choose or not choose to be here and we are going to coach the guys that are here."

Eberflus said he has talked to Johnson about the future in terms of mandatory work. The mandatory minicamp is June 13-15. However, he had nothing more to offer in regards to this in terms of Johnson.

Of course, this didn't prevent former Bears defensive end Robert Quinn from skipping it last year, but Quinn had been in the league quite a while and had made plenty of money. Johnson is only the end of his first contract.

Johnson's place at practice is being taken with the first team by Jaylon Jones or Michael Ojemudia. Rookie second-round pick Tyrique Stevenson has just started working in this defensive scheme but could be expected to get involved more with starters as the offseason continues.

"Tyrique is really picking up things really fast and it’s good to see him in there," Eberflus said. "He’s big and he’s long and he certainly can play the ball. I like where he's at too."

Johnson wasn't the only absent player. Guard Nate Davis, a veteran free agent acquisition who has a new contract, wasn't in attendance. Several players who had been injured at the end of last season did not participate, including Eddie Jackson, Darnell Mooney and Jack Sanborn. Mooney, tight end Cole Kmet and wide receiver Chase Claypool are in the same contract situation as Johnson but Kmet and Claypool were in attendance and are healthy.

A few other players were out working on rehab cycles and missed practice, like wide receiver Joe Lee and running back Travis Homer.

When the injured will return is still unspecified.

"That's a good question and certainly that's one that everyone wants the answer to," Eberflus said. "We just don't have the answers right now. They're progressing. All I can say is that they're progressing right along where they're supposed to be and it's all positive and we expect them back soon.

"When they're back, they're back. When the medical staff clears them, they'll be cleared."

Eberflus was a little more specific and revealing when asked if perhaps Johnson missed because of the broken finger he suffered late last season that left him on injured reserve for the final three weeks.

"No, I think his hand’s good from last year," Eberflus said. "I think he's good to go."

Or at least he's good to sit out for now. Either way, no one seems too concerned about it at Halas Hall at the moment, especially the quarterback who isn't worried about his own contract.

"Guys like Jaylon, we know what he can do on the field," Fields said. "He’s proven it many times versus top receivers. Not really worried about it too much.”

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