Bears CB Jaylon Johnson had strong reaction to being left off Top 100 players list

NFL Network recently unveiled its Top 100 Players of 2024 list, which featured a couple of notable Chicago Bears: Defensive end Montez Sweat and wide receiver Keenan Allen. But there was one big snub: Cornerback Jaylon Johnson.

Johnson had a career-high four interceptions, 36 tackles, one tackle for loss, 10 pass breakups and one forced fumble in 14 games, which earned him Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors. He was the top-graded cornerback, according to Pro Football Focus, where he allowed just a 55.2 completion percentage and an opposing passer rating of 50.9, both career bests.

Johnson was asked about his omission from the Top 100 list, and he didn't hold back when expressing his frustration.

“Bulls–t,” Johnson said Sunday. "Everybody makes mistakes, it ain’t just the media that do it. Players clearly– if they voted for it– they made some god damn mistakes. But it is what it is. At the end of the day I know the truth and it’s alright.”

The Top 100 list has often been criticized as being a popularity contest, considering it's voted upon by the players themselves. How else does New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who played four snaps in the entire 2023 season, make the list over Pro Football Focus' highest-graded cornerback?

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

Johnson said being snubbed from the Top 100 list with "100 percent" motivate him this season, and he's already coming off a career year where he was among the NFL's best cornerbacks and earned a massive contract extension in the process.

“I got some more for them," he said.

Watch out, NFL. You just poked the bear.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears CB Jaylon Johnson reacts to being left off Top 100 Players list