Cornerbacks live by the credo that you have to have a short memory. Jaylon Johnson took it a step further Thursday — he had no memory.
The Bears’ second-year cornerback not only was burned by wide receiver Darnell Mooney at practice on Thursday at Halas Hall, but also fell to the ground on the play, appeared to be shaken up and drew the attention of the training staff. But when asked about it after practice, he had no recollection of either incident.
“I don’t remember going down,” he said.
Did he at least remember the move Mooney put on him?
“No.”
Johnson repeated the act when asked about wide receiver Marquise Goodwin beating him for a touchdown — “I don’t remember that,” he said with a laugh. He likely was just having a little fun, perhaps an indication of the confidence and comfort he has this season after a promising rookie year — and just his happiness at finally being in a more normal football routine after last year was marred by coronavirus limitations.
Johnson, coming off surgery for a shoulder injury at Utah in 2019, had no on-field work prior to training camp last season, after the Bears’ selected him in the second round of the draft. He acclimated himself quickly, became a starter in Week 1 and started every game until suffering a shoulder injury against the Texans in Week 14.
Fully recovered from the shoulder injury that did not require surgery, Johnson is in a much better place this season. He’s already noticed the difference with fewer coronavirus restrictions in this year’s camp.
“This is the first example — having you guys here,” Johnson said at the podium in the Halas Hall media room — the first time the media has seen him up close in person as a Bear. “Just having more people involved. The facility was very limited last year. Just being able to see more people, get somewhat of the full experience and things like that.
“But even the atmosphere — it feels more open and we’re not as worried about being close and following certain protocols. Certain [unvaccinated] guys do, but for the most part, it’s pretty much opened up.”
The personable Johnson has opened up as well and already has a veteran’s mentality entering his second season. With former Pro Bowl cornerback Kyle Fuller in Denver after signing with the Broncos in free agency, Johnson is expected to fill the lead cornerback role. Veteran Desmond Trufant and second-year pro Kindle Vildor are competing for the other cornerback spot.
Johnson had his rookie moments but overall had an impressive first season that supported comparisons to Charles Tillman, a second-round pick in 2003 who became one of the best cornerbacks in franchise history. Johnson had 15 pass break-ups in 2020 — tied for ninth in the NFL, despite missing the final three games.
Johnson said completion percentage when his man is targeted is the stat he valued most as a cornerback. “If I can hold somebody to at least 50%, 60%, I feel like I’m all right,” he said.
But the number that bothers him most is the zero interceptions he had as a rookie. “I don’t really pay attention to the stats — I just know I didn’t have any interceptions,” he said. “So that’s what you’re going to hear from me and see from this year is getting my hands on the ball.”
