The Chicago Bears keep showing up in the same conversation whenever Tennessee’s defensive front comes up, and that is not an accident. The latest note from ’s Jeremy Fowler places Chicago among the two teams that could be a potential fit for Jermaine Johnson II, another reminder that the Bears are still looking at Titans talent even as the market starts to shift around them.
This is not the first time the Bears have been connected to Johnson. Last season, Jordan Schultz reported that Chicago was interested in trading for him, but the Bears were not willing to give up a second-round pick. Instead, they pivoted to Joe Tryon-Shroyinka and acquired him from Cleveland in a late-round pick swap. That history matters because it shows the Bears have been circling this edge-rush lane for a while, even if they have not always met the asking price.
Fowler’s reporting adds a fresh layer to the story. He said teams in the market for an edge rusher believe Johnson could be available at the right price, and he pointed to Tennessee’s 1-6 start and rebuilding mode as part of the reason the Titans would be motivated to keep collecting draft capital. In other words, this is not just about Chicago’s interest. It is about a team trying to thread the needle between need and cost while Tennessee works through a difficult season.
What the numbers say about Johnson
Johnson’s production helps explain why he remains attractive. Through the first seven games, he matched three sacks and six QB hits, enough to remind teams that he still brings pass-rush impact even in a season where Tennessee is searching for more stability. That kind of output does not make him untouchable, but it does make him valuable, especially for a team like the Bears that appears willing to keep exploring edge-rush upgrades.
There is also the larger Tennessee backdrop. The Titans are said to be in rebuilding mode, and Fowler noted that they would need more draft picks to keep that process moving. That is where the comparison to Jeffrey Simmons becomes useful. Tennessee would only consider offers for Simmons that include a first-round pick, which tells you the front office is not shopping away every defender without a premium return. Johnson sits in a different tier of trade flexibility, but he is part of the same broader conversation about how many veterans Tennessee is willing to move.
For Chicago, the connection is simple enough: the Bears remain linked to Titans defensive talent, and the market could still make another move plausible. Whether they decide Johnson is worth the cost is a separate question. But after last year’s pursuit and this season’s renewed mention, the fit is real enough to follow.
