‘He’s Aggressive’: Ja’Marr Chase Sounds Alarm on Jaylon Johnson After Joint Practice
Bears-Bengals Joint Practice Report: Chase vs. Johnson, Injury Updates & Preseason Preview
What Happened at Practice?
The Chicago Bears traveled to Cincinnati for a joint practice with the Bengals — think of it like a super intense scrimmage where two teams practice against each other instead of just their own teammates. Here are the biggest storylines:
The Main Event: Ja’Marr Chase vs. Jaylon Johnson
Who are they?
- Ja’Marr Chase: Bengals superstar wide receiver (catches passes). Two years ago, he led the entire NFL in catches, yards, and touchdowns.
- Jaylon Johnson: Bears top cornerback (covers receivers). He missed most of last season with groin injuries.
What happened?
- They lined up against each other during team drills (11-on-11 practice plays).
- Johnson played tight, physical coverage — staying right on Chase’s hip.
- Chase admitted Johnson is a "real good corner" and "pretty aggressive."
- But Chase wasn’t impressed by the "aggressive" label:
"I get jumped every day. I get jumped for a living. That’s not aggressive."
Chase’s best play?
He caught a jump ball (high throw down the sideline) against Tyrique Stevenson, another Bears cornerback.
What the Coaches Said
| Coach | Role | Key Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Johnson | Bears Head Coach | Wants "stickiness in coverage" — defenders staying glued to receivers and trying to intercept the ball. |
| Dennis Allen | Bears Defensive Coordinator | On Jaylon Johnson: "I’ve seen improvement… flashes that say, ‘Man, he’s looking a little bit more like what you expected.’" |
Important Point: The Bears led the NFL in takeaways (interceptions + fumble recoveries) last year. They want to keep that identity.
Injury & Roster Updates
1. Tyson Bagent (Backup QB) – OUT
- Injury: Hamstring (hurt in preseason game vs. Browns).
- Status: Week-to-week, didn’t travel to Cincinnati.
- What this means: Only two QBs available for Saturday’s preseason game:
- Case Keenum (veteran, played great vs. Browns – perfect 158.3 passer rating)
- Miller Moss (rookie, played with Caleb Williams at USC)
2. T.J. Edwards (Starting Linebacker) – Ramping Up
- Injury: Calf (hurt training off-site before camp).
- Background: Missed 7 games last year (hamstring), then broke his leg in the playoffs.
- Mindset: "I’m not used to missing anything. So I’m not letting that happen here."
3. Other Notes
- Kyle Monangai (RB): Knee injury, week-to-week, stayed in Chicago for rehab.
- Elijah Hicks (Safety): On PUP list (Physically Unable to Perform), but padded up — progressing toward return.
Fun Practice Scene: Fans on the Highway
The Bengals’ outdoor practice fields sit right next to a highway bridge (Clay Wade Bailey Bridge connecting Ohio & Kentucky).
- Fans watched from the overpass.
- One fan even wriggled through the fence to get closer!
- Players walk in cleats from the locker room (a block away at Paycor Stadium) to the three practice fields.
Practice Highlights & Notes
- Special teams focus: Coach Ben Johnson said he’d watch special teams closely. Result? Maurice Alexander (WR) returned a kickoff for a touchdown in a full-speed drill.
- Starters likely sitting Saturday: Bears starters got heavy work in the joint practice. Clues point to them resting in the actual preseason game vs. Bengals.
What Comes Next? (Numbered Steps)
- Saturday, Aug 23: Bears vs. Bengals preseason game (likely backups playing).
- Final roster cuts: Teams must trim to 53 players by late August.
- Week 1 Prep: Regular season starts in September — health & chemistry are key.
Summary
- Jaylon Johnson looks healthy and held his own vs. elite WR Ja’Marr Chase.
- Chase stays confident: physical coverage is normal for him.
- Bears defense aims to repeat last year’s takeaway success.
- QB depth tested: Bagent out → Keenum & Moss get big reps Saturday.
- T.J. Edwards motivated to stay healthy after nightmare 2024.
- Unique practice atmosphere: Fans on a highway bridge watching pros work.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is a "joint practice"?
It’s when two NFL teams practice together — running drills and scrimmages against each other. It’s more intense than practice vs. your own teammates but safer than a real game.
2. Why was Ja’Marr Chase annoyed?
He got open (beat his defender) during a drill, but the quarterback didn’t throw him the ball. Receivers want targets!
3. What does "week-to-week" mean?
The player is injured, but there’s no set return date. They’re evaluated each week to see if they can play.
4. Who is Case Keenum?
A 13-year NFL veteran backup quarterback. He played very well in the last preseason game (perfect passer rating = 158.3).
5. Why might starters sit the preseason game?
They already got high-quality reps in the joint practice. Coaches often rest starters in the 2nd/3rd preseason games to avoid injury.
Stay tuned for Saturday’s game — the battle for backup jobs and roster spots heats up!