Jaylon Johnson’s absence is nothing to worry about | Chicago Bears’ bigger concerns are at LT and DL

The absence of Jalen Johnson from voluntary Bears OTAs is not a cause for alarm, according to host Lauren Cox, who argues that his pattern of skipping offseason workouts is consistent, expected, and unrelated to team chemistry or contract concerns. Johnson, entering his seventh NFL season and a Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback, is under no obligation to attend these voluntary sessions—mandatory practices don’t begin until June 6th. Cox emphasizes that Johnson’s personal life, including his recent marriage and time with his daughter in California, justifies his absence. More importantly, she points out that his health and performance are not tied to OTA attendance: he played all 17 games and made a Pro Bowl in 2024 despite skipping those same workouts. Meanwhile, the real concerns for the Bears lie in two critical areas: the wide-open left tackle battle between Braxton Jones and Theo Benedett, and the defensive line’s need to improve under new coaching emphasis. The offensive line coach confirms Jones is now 100% healthy after two major injuries, and both players have trained with former All-Pro Teron Armstead, coached by the Bears’ own Dan Ruchard—aligning their development with team systems. On defense, the Bears’ coaching staff admits talent isn’t the issue, but coaching is.