As a rookie, Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson’s job was to learn from Kyle Fuller.
In his second year, Johnson has to become him.
“Kyle was our No. 1,” Johnson told the Sun-Times on Tuesday. “Now that he’s gone I’ve got the most snaps and the most experience at that position. It kind of turned quickly once he left.”
It did.
When the Bears cut Fuller as a salary cap casualty in March — the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback quickly signed with Vic Fangio’s Broncos — Johnson became, oddly, a veteran presence.
Despite missing the last three regular-season games and the Bears’ playoff loss with a right shoulder injury, Johnson totaled 867 snaps in 2020.