ESPN grades Jaylon Johnson's contract extension with the Chicago Bears

Johnson, who will turn 25 next month, is a former second round pick who reached his first Pro Bowl this past season. The extension makes Johnson a key part of what the Bears hope is a championship window that will soon open. 

ESPN loves Chicago's deal with Jaylon Johnson

ESPN thinks the Bears nailed it with Johnson's extension. They gave the deal an A+. 

From ESPN: It's a rare win-win in free agency, as the Bears keep a 25-year-old top-tier cornerback, and Johnson gets paid with a hefty guarantee and top-of-market salary. Cornerback was the Bears' biggest need with Johnson set to hit the market, but getting the deal done after temporarily placing the nonexclusive franchise tag on their CB1 is a huge win for Ryan Poles' front office. Now the Bears can move into free agency and the draft knowing full well where the team's needs lie -- and cornerback is crossed off the list for the next four years.....this is a win for Poles' staff and the Bears to get a long-term deal done. Good teams find a way to draft and develop stars and then keep them in-house, and the Bears were able to do that to get an early win in what should be an exciting offseason.

Getting a longterm deal done with Johnson was always a priority for Chicago. And getting it done before free agency even starts is huge for the Bears because it will allow general manager Ryan Poles to make moves knowing that Johnson is locked in with Chicago through the 2027 season.