Jaylon Johnson Says Dennis Allen Is Making One Major Change To Defense

In his short time with the Chicago Bears, Jaylon Johnson encountered different defensive coordinators, from Chuck Pagano to Alan Williams and Matt Eberflus. Each brought different styles to the table. Johnson excelled in all of them because he is that caliber of player. However, there was always one annoying issue with those schemes, at least in his mind. The coaches would never let him follow the opposing team’s #1 wide receiver across the field. He was always required to man a specific area and cover whoever lined up across from him. To a competitor like Johnson, that was an affront. His entire goal is to measure himself against the best.

It appears his wish is finally about to come true. New Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is taking over moving forward. While he also runs a 4-3 alignment like Eberflus did, his approach is wildly different. Where Eberflus liked to play heavy zone and keep everything in front of the defense, Allen is far more aggressive. He likes to man up on the wide receivers and attack the quarterback. Such a scheme requires a cornerback who can keep the opponent’s best in check. That is what Johnson will be asked to do.

Jaylon Johnson believes he can handle this role.

Allen’s defenses have always been at their best when they have a corner of such caliber. Everything came together in New Orleans when they drafted Marshon Lattimore in 2017. His Broncos unit in 2011 had Champ Bailey. It probably isn’t a coincidence his Oakland Raiders defenses never quite got over the hump since they failed to add a good cover corner in those three years. Allen must’ve been thrilled to already have Jaylon Johnson on the roster, along with Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson. If those three play up to their capabilities, this defense has a chance to be really good right out of the gate. There is no doubt that respect for Johnson’s ability might finally be recognized with this new approach.