Bears Pro Bowler Sends Stern Message To Rest Of His Team

Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson is sick of his team's "upside" label.

Johnson got real with reporters during the Bears' Saturday practice at Halas Hall. Despite some positive buzz emanating from Chicago's revamped roster, Johnson doesn't think anything has changed just yet.

The 2023 2nd-team All-Pro said that he's "tired" of being branded as a team with potential. Instead, Johnson challenged his team to realize its potential and "prove it" on the field.

“It’s about action at this point," said Johnson, via ESPN's Courtney Cronin. "So the projections, the energy, the enthusiasm all feels good in the beginning because everybody, every team, every fan [says], ‘Oh this is our year, this is our year,’ so I’m not on that type of time as far as, ‘Oh yeah, this is our year.’”

“Nah, we got to go out here and we got to prove it and I think that starts with Day 1, starts with today."

Since Johnson arrived on the team in 2020, the Bears have never had a winning record. Chicago went 8-8 during Johnson's rookie year and performed even worse in each of the years that followed. The team tallied a 24-43 record throughout that span.

With a shiny, new quarterback in Caleb Williams , hope springs eternal in Chicago. However, Johnson doesn't appear to be convinced until the hope translates to wins on the field.

Related: Steelers All-Pro Sent Stern Warning To Russell Wilson