As a Chicago Bears fan, I can say with confidence that it hasn't been a great 2023. That's likely not breaking news, as the Bears have been one of the more frequent punchlines of the season thus far. I have no shortage of gripes with various facets of the team (the coaching staff mostly), but let's look at the good news for a second, because lord knows we can use a heavy dose of good news: the Bears own the Carolina Panthers 1st Round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and Carolina is currently the last remaining winless team in the league. Not only did Chicago secure that 1st rounder in a deal with the Panthers before the draft, but they managed to steal D.J. Moore too, who despite mostly shaky quarterback play (done no favors by the aforementioned shortcomings of the coaching staff, mind you) is currently 5th in the league in receiving yards, according to Pro-Football-Reference.

Add in a few young players who look like they could end up being cornerstones moving forward, and I'll likely be ready to talk myself into this team all over again heading into next season. The chances of that happening would be boosted if GM Ryan Poles ponies up the cash to keep cornerback Jaylon Johnson in a Bears uniform.

Johnson was a 2nd round pick under the previous regime, and played well above expectations as a rookie. His second and third seasons were a mix of good and bad, but there's no way to deny that Johnson has been excellent this season. Even before his two-interception performance against the Raiders, Johnson was one of the top ranked corners in the league according to Pro-Football Focus. Following the game, Johnson is up to second in PFF's rankings.

Speaking of following the game, Jaylon Johnson was asked by reporters if his pick-six touchdown celebration was a not-so-subtle message to Ryan Poles. To avoid any confusion, Johnson made his intentions perfectly clear: “You damn right. 100 percent.” (h/t Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune).

Jaylon Johnson elaborated, saying, “I know who I am, and I know I can play this game at a high level. And I feel like I deserve to be paid like that. I'm taking that attitude for any team, for any and everybody in the NFL. So I mean if it's with the Bears, then I'll do that.”

Just a year ago, it was Bears linebacker Roquan Smith who was speaking out about wanting a new day. Smith's production in Chicago had been far greater than Johnson's thus far, but Ryan Poles and the Bears brass weren't willing to give Smith the deal he wanted. He was promptly traded for a second-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens on Halloween.

Will the same thing happen with Jaylon Johnson? I couldn't tell you. Even though it's been reported that the Bears aren't looking to trade him before the deadline, it wouldn't surprise me one bit if Johnson's big payday comes somewhere other than Chicago. And just as was the case with Roquan Smith, I'll be sad to see Jaylon Johnson go.