Late on Monday night, the 24-year-old cornerback was granted authorization to pursue a trade.
The Los Angeles Rams secondary had a terrible game on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, allowing Dak Prescott and company to collect 304 yards and four scores. With PFF grades in the mid-50s (Kendrick at 55.4 and Durant at 51.2), Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick have taken the lion’s share of the blame for Los Angeles’ inability to succeed in the defensive backfield this season. It’s unclear when Kendrick will be suspended by the Rams this season after he was also taken into custody last week on felony gun charges.
Though the Chicago Bears’ 24-year-old cornerback Jaylon Johnson was unable to reach an agreement on a long-term contract deal, he was granted permission late Monday night to pursue a trade, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. This might provide Los Angeles with some additional depth.
Johnson has a PFF score of 84.4 this season, making him a very talented young corner. He has only allowed 11 receptions on 29 targets, 15 tackles, and two interceptions. Additionally, when opposing quarterbacks target him, he is only allowing a 37.3 passing rating. In the most recent game, he had two interceptions against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7.
A player of Johnson’s caliber, at his age, rarely becomes available in the middle of the season. Although he may not have the same quality as Jalen Ramsey did in his peak when the Rams made that deal back in 2019, the two players do feel a lot alike.
Johnson’s base pay for this year is a mere $2.9 million. After the season, the Rams will have over $50 million in cap space, up from around $4 million currently. This gives Los Angeles the opportunity to negotiate a long-term contract for the future, which is necessary if they are to have any chance of obtaining Johnson’s skills.
It’s anticipated that the Bears would want to get at least something in exchange for Johnson, who would become a free agent the following season if he isn’t franchise tagged. That could even need a second round pick.
Conversely, some could argue, “Why wouldn’t LA have just kept Ramsey then?” The distinction is that Ramsey, who is now almost thirty years old, would anticipate a considerably larger contract that would tie him to the team long after his playing days are over. Conversely, Johnson is six years younger, so he definitely deserves less money annually and, considering his age, would be a valuable player throughout the length of the long-term agreement.
Johnson may be the defensive backfield cornerstone the Rams need going forward—not just for this season, but for many to come. The secondary needs support.