Jaylon Johnson Downplays Bears' Offseason Moves, 'Hype Don't Win You No Games'

Everything on paper suggests the Chicago Bears may finally be ready to turn the corner and become a contender in 2025.

But Jaylon Johnson isn't listening to the hype.

"Hype don't win you no games," the cornerback told reporters Tuesday. "I've been here a minute. I've been through the hype. And we don't win no games. So, for me, if it's not about winning, quite honestly, I don't really care about it. …

"I've been through it too many times, man. I'm going to get excited when we win in November. And December. And when we change some things and get into the playoffs. That's when I'm going to get excited."

Johnson may not be buying into the hype at this point, but Chicago made waves this offseason by hiring head coach Ben Johnson and bolstering the offensive line with the additions of Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson.

Offensive line was a major priority coming into the offseason, and revamping the group puts quarterback Caleb Williams in a much better position to take a leap in his second season. So does working with Johnson, who helped the Detroit Lions lead the league in scoring last season as their offensive coordinator.

Still, there was plenty of hype last season as well after a 4-2 start with Williams under center as the No. 1 overall pick. And then everything changed with a stunning loss to the Washington Commanders that ended on a Hail Mary.

Chicago lost 10 straight before finishing its season with a win over the rival Green Bay Packers, so Johnson stressed he isn't going to get too caught up in the early season developments.

"I'll see in camp to start," he said. "And that's when the real ball will show up. And then really through our season, we'll see. Because things may start off rocky in the beginning and we'll figure it out and things change throughout the back half or the middle of the season. Or we start off hot and then s--- the bed. So, I mean, it kind of depends. … To me, it's about winning. And I feel like if we go out there and we win on Sundays I'll feel good about everybody."

Johnson has been with the Bears his entire career since they selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft. While the two-time Pro Bowler has been excellent on an individual level, the team is yet to finish with a winning record during his tenure.

Perhaps that will change in 2025, but Johnson isn't going to let the offseason headlines overshadow the work that has to be done.