Jaylon Johnson Opens Up About Sexual Addiction During Press Conference Following $76m Deal, Discusses Therapy Journey to Address Issue

Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson opened up about his recent battles with sexual addiction during his first press conference since agreeing to a four-year, $76 million extension to stay with the team. 

Johnson thanked God and family members for helping him reach this point in his life. 

He also told reporters that he went to therapy to address his sexual addiction. 

‘It’s OK to go through stuff,’ he said, as quoted by NBC Chicago’s Josh Schrock. ‘It’s OK to not be perfect. … People feel like you got to put a mask on and have to cover it up. No, it’s OK.

‘We go through things. Everybody goes through things,’ he continued, as quoted by Chris Emma of 670 The Score. ‘It’s OK to seek help. It’s OK to be vulnerable.’ 

The deal will pay Johnson – a second-team All-Pro with Chicago in 2023 – an average salary of $19million and includes $54.4 million guaranteed.

Just two days earlier, the Bears used the franchise tag on Johnson, which would’ve guaranteed a one-year salary of $19.8 million.

Only two cornerbacks average a salary higher than the franchise tender rate: Jaire Alexander of the Packers averages $21 million and Denzel Ward of the Browns is at $20.1 million. 

A second-round pick in 2020, Johnson was the highest-rated cornerback in the NFL by Pro Football Focus in 2023, allowing a passer rating of 33.3 in more than 500 coverage snaps. 

‘I still believe my opponents don’t think I’m good enough,’ he told reporters Monday.  

And the Bears will look to improve their roster even further under GM Ryan Poles, as the team still has about $56million in cap space according to Spotrac.

Chicago also owns the No. 1 pick in next month’s NFL Draft, which it may use to draft former USC quarterback Caleb Williams.

Johnson attends the 12th Annual NFL Honors at Symphony Hall on February 09, 2023

While there has been previous speculation that Chicago could trade the pick and stick with current quarterback Justin Fields, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported last month that it would take a ‘historic haul of draft picks and overall compensation’ to land the pick.

The Bears missed the playoffs last year but showed signs of life in the second half of the season as they finished 7-10 and went 3-2 after their bye week.

However, Chicago will be picking first after landing Carolina’s 2024 first-round selection in a blockbuster trade for receiver DJ Moore last year, in which they gave up the 2023 No. 1. The Panthers struggled mightily under rookie quarterback Bryce Young and went an NFL-worst 2-15 in 2023.A

The Bears will also be picking at No. 9 overall in this year’s draft, and could look to keep adding to their offense after finishing 18th (of 32 teams) in points per game.