Johnson discusses Fields trade, Williams’ “humbled confidence” |
Numerous changes have occurred in Chicago this offseason and Bears’ cornerback, Jaylon Johnson, took to the Rich Eisen Show this past Friday to discuss some of those changes.
One big change was at quarterback. Justin Fields was the quarterback for the Bears the past three seasons, most of Johnson’s career in Chicago. Fields did not come into a great situation under former Bears head coach Matt Nagy. Nonetheless, Johnson feels Fields gave his heart to the team, but the organization needed a change and sometimes that is just business. “I learned … about him as a human being, a quarterback, kind of just seeing some things, talking to him, talking to the people around him and for me, kind of looking at it, it was really unfortunate, I think, situation, unfortunate … three years, just having so many moving pieces around him, not having too much stability, not having too many actual weapons. It was just, to me, it was unfortunate,” Johnson said. “I think him departing, (it) wasn’t a surprise. But, I definitely feel like it was definitely unfortunate. But, again, it’s the business of it. Sometimes, you get pushed out just through the time and just through when you come into a situation. So, I feel like overall, he gave his heart to the team. He gave his heart to Chicago. It was never (less) than his full effort. So, I think for me to definitely love and respect Justin as a human, as a quarterback. But, I think he was just (in) an unfortunate situation coming in when he came in.” Fields was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for their sixth-rounder in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, Bears fans still have a stake in Fields’ success because if he plays over half of the offensive snaps for Pittsburgh, that sixth-round pick will become a fourth-round pick. With the playmaking ability he has, Johnson feels fans should not count out Fields to make some plays this upcoming season. “He’s going to make some plays happen with his feet, with his arm. He’s definitely going to make some things happen,” Johnson said. “Even when you think he’s sacked or going down or something looks bad, just wait. He’ll have his time to work his magic. So, definitely don’t blink when Justin’s out there with the ball.” Caleb Williams was drafted into a much better situation when Chicago selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. While the Bears already had elite receiver Keenan Allen and DJ Moore, they picked up another receiver with the No. 9 overall pick, selecting Rome Odunze. Most quarterbacks selected in the first round, particularly with the No. 1 overall selection, do not come into a situation with this level of talent. Johnson believes Chicago’s rookie quarterback is a special player based on what he has seen of Williams so far. He is excited to see him take advantage of having such elite talent around him. “He’s just special. He’s just different. I think really just, of course how he carries himself, you’ll see him. He’s just a (different) guy, I think just going out there, just being who he is, being himself. I feel like that’s something that is contagious, just for the guys around him, just to (see) this man comes in here. He’s confident in what he’s doing. He knows he’s good and then when he steps on that field, he starts spinning the ball, he is special and is going to be special and I feel like he just gives everybody around him confidence,” Johnson said. “Once he gets comfortable, it’ll be dangerous with the receiving core that we got, with the backs that we got, the tight end tandem that we got. (There’s) nothing that we don’t have on offense. So, I feel like I haven’t been able to say that since I’ve been with the Bears. So, I’m excited. I’m excited for him, see what he can do with this team, with these weapons around him.” Sometimes confidence can be mistaken for arrogance and Williams has been portrayed by some to be arrogant or cocky. However, Johnson quickly dispelled this narrative, referring to Williams’ attitude as a “humbled confidence” because while he is confident in himself and his capabilities, he is also incredibly dedicated to learning the playbook inside and out. “It’s like a humbled confidence. He knows, ‘Once I learn and once it clicks, I’m going to come in here and dominate the league. I’m going to come here and dominate and be that guy for the Bears.’ So, that’s one thing that caught my eye and the detail I kind of pay attention to,” Johnson said. “But, physically, I feel like just his touch on the ball. I tell people all the time, even the DBs in the room, he has good touch. He has a special touch, just going and having a good feel or when to put some air on the ball, when to zip something in. I think he definitely has a good feel for the game naturally, just to be able to tell where and how to put the ball when he throws it.” Training camp for the Bears starts on Tuesday, July 23, and the first day is open to the public on Friday, July 26. This allows fans to see for themselves the elite offense the Bears put together during the offseason. Their first preseason game will be the Hall of Fame game against the Houston Texans on Thursday, Aug. 1 (7 p.m.), providing the first in-game experience for Williams, Odunze, and the rest of the newest Chicago Bears. Bears fans will also be able to watch their team on HBO’s Hard Knocks, with the first episode premiering on Tuesday, Aug. 6 (8 p.m.). Their regular season and home opener will take place on Sunday, Sept. 8 (Noon / FOX), against the Tennessee Titans.
