The Pittsburgh Steelers nearly traded for Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson back at the trade deadline but never pulled the trigger on it because of the trade cost. Adam Caplan of Pro Football Network detailed even more in-depth that teams thought the price ask was far too out of this world for Johnson.
“Teams that called the Bears for him prior to last season’s trade deadline were turned off by the price. One personnel source deemed the asking price as “exorbitant,” even though the Bears gave Johnson’s representatives the ability to seek a trade,” Caplan wrote.
Now, Johnson is likely to be franchise-tagged by the Bears. At the Pro Bowl, Johnson detailed where his mindset was this offseason and what he will look for in a new contract.
“Heart’s definitely in Chicago, mind’s definitely on the money,” Johnson told NFL.com at Saturday’s Pro Bowl practice. “So, I mean, we’ll figure out if we can make them both come together and get something done. I’m looking forward to see what’s to come.”
The fourth-year-pro drew a strong market on the trade market, with the Steelers among four teams that reportedly showed a persistent interest in Johnson. The San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles were also in on the conversations surrounding the 24-year-old.
Johnson was the No. 50 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and the fourth-year pro had a career season. He shot his value up throughout the season and is now set to be paid well.
Levi Wallace, Chandon Sullivan, and James Pierre are free agents this offseason and the team will have to add a cornerback but with a deep draft, that could look to go that route. The team saw a promising rookie season from Joey Porter Jr. but has to make a decision on Patrick Peterson, who is heading into his 14th NFL season.
And while Johnson is one of the dream scenarios, it certainly seems like Pittsburgh would either have to trade for him or wait another year for him to hit the market.
