If you’re underwhelmed by Bears general manager Ryan Poles’ tepid foray into the free-agent market this week, keep in mind that his biggest offseason expenditure was a huge win: signing cornerback Jaylon Johnson to a four-year, $76 million contract extension last week.
No matter how many needs the Bears have, signing homegrown players to well-deserved extensions is a much bigger key to Poles’ long-term success than filling holes in free agency.
If Poles is truly good at his job, he’ll need as much salary-cap wiggle room as he can to sign his own players: guard Teven Jenkins, safety Jaquan Brisker, cornerback Kyler Gordon and eventually tackle Darnell Wright, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, defensive tackle Gervon Dexter and any other draftees who might emerge as playmakers.
Although Johnson was unlikely to leave after the Bears gave him the franchise tag earlier this month, his long-term deal fortifies a defense that has been overshadowed by the glaring quarterback debate — but also can’t be overlooked as an equal factor in the rebuild under Poles and coach Matt Eberflus.
In fact, more than any other factor, the Bears’ defense differentiates them from other teams who have had the No. 1 overall draft pick. They were 20th in scoring defense last season. But in their last 13 games — not a small sample size — they were fifth in offensive points allowed (17.5 per game). In their final eight games, they led the NFL in fewest offensive points allowed (16.0 per game). They held seven of their eight opponents below their season average. The only team to exceed its average against the Bears in that span was the Lions, who needed to score 15 in the final three minutes to beat the Bears 31-26 on Nov. 19 at Ford Field.
This defense would be a benefit for USC’s Caleb Williams (or any other rookie quarterback) that most No. 1 overall picks don’t have. Of the 18 quarterbacks drafted No. 1 overall since 1999, only three joined a team that wasn’t in the bottom 10 in the NFL in scoring defense the previous season — the Panthers’ Bryce Young (19th), the Rams’ Jared Goff (13th) and the Raiders’ Jamarcus Russell (18th). It’s no surprise that Williams has mentioned the Bears’ defense when noting the advantages of coming to Chicago. USC allowed an average of 39.6 points in his eight losses over the last two seasons — 34 or more points in each one.
For the record, this defense would help incumbent Justin Fields as well. In the Bears’ first 21 games under Eberflus, they were 2-8 when scoring 20 or more points, losing 35-32, 31-30, 49-29 and 31-28. In the last 13 games, when Eberflus’ defense kicked into gear, they were 5-1 when scoring 20 or more points (4-1 with Fields, 1-0 with Tyson Bagent).
So, although a wide receiver should be a draft priority regardless of what the Bears do at quarterback, an edge rusher to complement Montez Sweat remains a viable option, if not a necessary one. Eberflus’ defense is good and getting better, but it’s not invulnerable.
That’s why Johnson’s extension was so big. The Bears led the NFL in passer-rating defense in Weeks 10-17 last season (62.6). When Johnson missed Week 18 with an injury, the Packers’ Jordan Love torched the Bears with a 128.6 rating, completing 27 of 32 passes for 316 yards in a 17-9 loss at Lambeau Field.
“We’ve got to continue to raise the bar, raise the standard,” Johnson said. “I know we left a lot of things out there this year. So [I’m] looking forward to working this season, getting back with the guys in the offseason and continue to win and get better.”
