Jaylon Johnson leaves after omission from NFL Top 100 list

Jaylon Johnson leaves after omission from NFL Top 100 list originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago

LAKE FOREST, Illinois – The NFL Top 100 list was fully released late last week, and Bears star cornerback Jaylon Johnson it was nowhere. On Sunday, Johnson met with the media and shared his thoughts on his exclusion.

“Bulls-t,” Johnson said.

The NFL Top 100 list is voted on by players every year. Halfway through the season, players receive a sheet of paper in their lockers and are asked to rank their pairings however they wish. Once all votes are tallied, the NFL releases the full list.

“Everyone makes mistakes, it’s not just the media that makes mistakes,” Johnson said. “The players clearly – if they voted for it – made some damn mistakes. But it is what it is. At the end of the day I know the truth and it’s okay.”

Johnson has been considered one of the best coverage corners in the league for many seasons, but last year he flourished and set career highs in takeaways. Johnson finished the year with four interceptions, a forced fumble and a touchdown – and he did all of this while also establishing a career-high 55% completion rate allowed and a 50% pass rate. 9 when targeted. For his efforts, he made the All-Pro Second Team and earned a Pro Bowl nomination.

“It’s disrespectful because I go out there, I line up and I know the receivers go out there and I can’t say I’m not one of the best players they play against,” Johnson said. “There’s no way there are 100 guys who are better.”

Johnson said being named a Top 100 player wouldn’t make him complacent, but his omission will “100 percent” motivate him.

“I have some more for them.”

Only two Bears players made the list: new wide receiver Keenan Allen is ranked 51st and Montez Sweat is ranked 82nd.

While players like Johnson and DJ Moore certainly have a strong case for being considered Top 100 players, it’s not surprising that some Bears were omitted. When a player fills out a ballot, he probably tries to think first of the best teams in the league and then the best players on those teams. That’s why guys from the Chiefs, 49ers, Ravens, Cowboys and Eagles dominate the top slots. The Bears weren’t playing well when the ballots were distributed and were the worst team in 2022, so they probably weren’t top of mind in locker rooms across the league.

If the team improves this year, it will likely land more players in the Top 100 next year.

Click here to follow the Under Center Podcast.