Why Steelers Didn’t Land Bears CB Jaylon Johnson

Talks between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears regarding cornerback Jaylon Johnson ahead of the 2023 NFL trade deadline on Tuesday broke down over the level of draft pick compensation, despite a strong push from the Steelers to get the trade done.

The Bears were shopping Johnson, who had requested a trade after contract extension talks between him and the Chicago front office reached an impasse.

It was reported on Tuesday that the Bears were seeking one or more Day Two draft picks in exchange for Johnson, and general manager Ryan Poles seemed to clarify that stance on Wednesday when speaking with the Chicago media.

“I don’t want to lose Jaylon Johnson,” Poles said. “If I were to lose Johnson, I would like to have a high chance of hitting on another Jaylon Johnson, which to me, is a late first, early second.”

Bears GM Ryan Poles: "I don't want to lose Jaylon Johnson. If I were to lose Johnson, I would like to have a high chance of hitting on another Jaylon Johnson, which to me, is a late-first, early second."

— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) November 1, 2023

The Steelers’ second-round pick could have been enough to satisfy that request, but it does not seem that general manager Omar Khan was willing to offer it. The Steelers do have both their second- and third-round picks, but it does not seem like offering a third would have been enough to satisfy the Bears.

It could also have been that the Bears were wary as being seen as losing another trade with the Steelers. Poles was widely criticized for trading a second-round pick to the Steelers for Chase Claypool last year at the deadline. That pick became Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr.

Johnson said he intends to finish the season with the Bears and enter the free agent market, so the Steelers will have another shot at landing him in the spring if they still wish to.