NFL's Jaylon Johnson Discusses Therapy for Sex Addiction: 'It's OK to Not Be Perfect'

Chicago Bears cornerback revealed Monday he went to therapy for sex addiction last season during Monday's press conference announcing his four-year, $76 million contract with the team.

"It's bigger than me," Johnson said. "For one, it's because I know I'm not the only one going through it. Two, it's OK to go through stuff. It's OK to not be perfect, and I feel like people put us literally on this pedestal to get up here and talk and [think], 'Oh well, guys are this, guys are that.'

"Like man, we are human too. We go through things. Everybody goes through things. I feel like people feel like you've got to put a mask on, you've got to cover it up. Like naw, it's OK to go through things. It's OK to seek help. It's OK to be vulnerable."

The 24-year-old had a career year in 2023, intercepting four passes and recording 10 breakups en route to his first Pro Bowl nod.

He told reporters that working through his addiction "was harder than anything" but credited therapy with aiding in his professional success.

"It didn't affect me, really, at all. If anything it boosted me up into being who I needed to be," he said. "Like I said, in that place of vulnerability, I had a breakthrough. I had a breakthrough with myself and I had a breakthrough on the football field. I wouldn't say it affected me. If anything it boosted me to be who I know I am."

Johnson's press conference was a celebratory occasion given his lucrative payday. His $19 million average salary ranks seventh among players at his position.

Johnson also made sure to use his platform to send a message that's much larger than a new contract.