With the NFL draft just over a month away, Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson had some interesting and important things to say about quarterback Caleb Williams. who nearly every major analyst and insider believes the team will draft No. 1 overall.
In a March 20 appearance on Kay Adams’ show “Up and Adams,” Johnson was asked about the locker room’s plans to set the tone for Williams, and the veteran cornerback gave a very honest and thoughtful response.
“Honestly, when you come into the building, just be humble. I think it’s one of those things where you shouldn't bring that Hollywood attitude into the building, especially with guys who have played the game at a high level for many years — guys like myself, guys like Tremaine (Edmunds), TJ (Edwards), and Keenan Allen,” he continued. “Some guys in the locker room will see through that. What you accomplished in college, the Hollywood stuff, doesn't really matter. You need to prove yourself. Things like that don’t count.”, Jaylon Johnson Says Team Will Push Caleb Williams in a Good Way, now The Bears signed Johnson to a four-year,$76 million contract extension
with $51.4 million guaranteed this offseason, so he is expected to be a fixture on defense for the next several seasons.
A leader in the locker room and on the field, the 2023 All-Pro cornerback explained how the team will both understand and challenge Williams:
This was a loaded response from Johnson, but one that wasn’t dismissive of Williams or the young QB’s talents. Bears Vets Want a QB Who Can Win Games & Make Plays “This is not a negative comment from Jaylon,”
Josh Schrock of NBC Sports
You gotta get to know him, too. I think there’s a fine line between trying to prove a point to him but you also gotta get to know him, because at the end of the day, we want him to be the absolute best he can be. That’s what we’re bringing him in for — to win games. So, I think truly just learning who he is as a person and learning him deeper than all the Hollywood stuff you see, but actually trying to learn and get to know him and then knowing from there what pushes him. If it is trash talk, if trash talk makes him crumble, then I mean, I feel like we gotta push that button because people in the game, they’re gonna push that button. Just depending on whatever it is that he needs to be pushed at, that’s our job and that’s our duty as his teammates to make him better to strengthen his weaknesses.
wrote on X. “He’s saying that the team plans to push Caleb because they know he’s there because the organization believes he will lead to more wins. As long as Caleb is humble and genuine, it’s going to work.”
Bears wide receiver
also offered his advice in an appearance on 670 The Score’s Mully & Haugh Show on March 21.
“I hope he just comes in and gets ready to work,” Moore said about Williams. “You can’t worry about the legacy of DJ Moore Justin Fields . You got to go out there and worry (about yourself).” If Williams comes in and works hard while also making plays, he’ll earn the trust of his teammates quickly. If the wins also come, it shouldn’t take long at all.
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson has some strong words of advice for Caleb Williams if the QB goes to Chicago. Justin Fields. You got to go out there and worry (about yourself).”
If Williams comes in and works hard while also making plays, he’ll earn the trust of his teammates quickly. If the wins also come, it shouldn’t take long at all.
