The Chicago Bears rookie cornerback Malik Muhammad II spoke plainly about the struggles of his veteran teammate Jaylon Johnson, according to Yahoo Sports. Muhammad told reporters that Johnson knows he has to get better and play at a higher level. This message came after Johnson allowed many big plays and missed several tackles during the season. The rookie did not hold back his words even though Johnson is a former Pro Bowl player and one of the highest-paid defenders on the team.
Muhammad noted that the cornerback position is very hard to play, but he refused to give Johnson an excuse for his poor performance. The comments highlight a growing concern within the Bears defense as the team looks to improve before the trade deadline on November 10.
Head coach Ben Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles had previously tried to be supportive of Johnson’s struggles. Ben Johnson said there were ups and downs and that the team evaluates everyone at the end of each game. Ryan Poles suggested that adding Jeffery Simmons to the defense would help the secondary find their way. However, the reality on the field has been different. Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson have faced criticism for getting beaten by opposing receivers like Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The rookie Muhammad stepped up to say what many fans and observers have been thinking for weeks. He made it clear that while the position is difficult, Johnson cannot continue to play at his current level.
The Rookie Speaks Truth About the Veteran
Malik Muhammad II is only a rookie, yet he showed the courage to address the issues facing the Bears secondary. During a practice session on Thursday, Muhammad spoke to reporter Devan Kaney of FOX about Johnson’s up-and-down season. Muhammad said that Johnson always stays with a positive mindset and asks questions to get better. He acknowledged that Johnson has been in the league for a long time and knows the job well. However, Muhammad was direct when he said that people do not know how hard the cornerback position is.
He added that he is not giving Johnson an out for his mistakes. The rookie emphasized that Johnson knows he has to play better and that the entire team knows he needs to improve.
This honesty from a rookie is rare in the NFL, especially when directed at a veteran star. In his third year of a four-year, $76 million deal, Johnson ranks as the defense’s second-highest earner. Despite his status and salary, he has struggled significantly in coverage and run support. Muhammad’s comments suggest that the locker room is aware of the problem and expects a change. The rookie did not try to shield Johnson from the criticism that has been building around him.
Instead, he validated the concerns while also explaining the difficulty of the role. This balance shows that Muhammad respects his teammate but demands more from him for the team to succeed.
The timing of these comments is important as the Bears face a critical period in their season. The team is hunting for another defensive player before the trade deadline on November 10. With Johnson and Stevenson playing below the level of a starting outside cornerback, the Bears need a solution quickly. Muhammad’s statement is a public reminder that the current performance is not acceptable. The rookie is pushing his veteran teammate to return to the form that made him a Pro Bowler in previous years. If Johnson does not step up, the team may look to the trade market to find a more reliable option at the position.
Statistical Evidence of a Struggling Defense
The numbers back up the concerns raised by Malik Muhammad and other observers. According to Pro Football Reference, Jaylon Johnson has allowed an opposing passer rating of 124.3 this season. This rating is extremely high and indicates that quarterbacks are having great success when targeting him. Johnson has also tied his career high for missed tackles in a single season with nine missed tackles. Pro Football Focus reports that his missed tackle rate is 21.9%, which is the second-highest of his career. These statistics show that Johnson is struggling not just in coverage but also in the physical aspect of the game when he tries to stop runners.
Advanced metrics from the Pro Football Network rank Johnson as the second-worst defensive back in the NFL entering Week 9. Teams are targeting him more frequently than ever before, which shows that opposing offenses view him as a weak spot. This season, Johnson has given up 13.0 yards per target, marking the poorest figure across his seven-year NFL career. He is on pace to see 81 targets through 17 games, a number that is higher than his rookie campaign in 2020. The data makes it clear that Johnson is not playing at the elite level he once did, and the team cannot rely on him to shut down top receivers.
In contrast, rookie Malik Muhammad has shown much better numbers despite missing games with a toe injury. Over seven games, Muhammad has held opponents to a 54.8% completion rate and a 79.9 passer rating. He is considered the top-rated cornerback on the team through the first eight games. This difference in performance highlights the gap between what the team has and what it needs. Should Johnson’s performance fail to improve, the Bears might utilize their 2027 contract opt-out clause. The stats suggest that the team is in a difficult spot with its current starting cornerbacks.
Coaches and Management Avoid Direct Criticism
While the rookie spoke bluntly, the coaching staff and management have been more cautious in their public comments. When queried about Johnson’s recent play, Head coach Ben Johnson chose not to place full blame on him for the issues. Ben Johnson said there have been ups and downs and that the team evaluates everyone at the end of each game based on winning versus losing performance. He did not single out Johnson for the poor play that has been evident in recent weeks. This approach suggests that the coach is trying to protect his player while still addressing the issues internally.
General manager Ryan Poles also avoided direct criticism when asked about Johnson’s struggles. Poles pointed to the addition of Jeffery Simmons as a way to help the secondary find their way. He said that adding someone like Simmons makes a huge impact for the guys in the secondary. Poles did not hold one of his highest-paid players accountable in his public remarks. Instead, he focused on how the new defensive tackle could improve the overall unit. This strategy of looking for external solutions rather than addressing internal failures is common for teams facing underperformance from key players.
Despite the supportive words from the coaches, the reality on the field tells a different story. Safety Coby Bryant noted in the locker room after the game against the Seahawks that the secondary heard the talk from the media. The criticism was specifically directed at Johnson and Stevenson, who have struggled every single week. Both players got beaten by Jaxon Smith-Njigba before halftime in that game, even with Simmons playing on the field. The disconnect between the public support from management and the on-field results creates tension within the team. The rookie Muhammad’s comments may have broken the silence that the coaches tried to maintain.
The Difficulty of the Cornerback Position
Malik Muhammad emphasized that the cornerback position is one of the hardest jobs in football. He told reporters that people do not know how difficult it is to play at that level. This statement is true for any player at the position, as they must cover fast receivers and react instantly to the quarterback’s throws. The position requires elite speed, agility, and mental processing skills. Muhammad noted that he is not giving Johnson an out for his mistakes, but he wants people to understand the challenge involved. The rookie understands the difficulty but still expects his teammate to rise to the occasion.
A significant decline from his previous high-level play renders Johnson’s current slump particularly shocking. Prior to this season, he earned two Pro Bowl selections and one second-team All-Pro honor. His decline started last season, but injuries were used as an excuse for his poor play. This year, Johnson does not have the same excuse since he has been healthy enough to play. The veteran admitted before the season that it was a contract year for him and that he needed to prove he is still a top player. The fact that he is struggling in a contract year adds pressure to his situation.
The Bears are looking at potential trade options to address the cornerback need. The team has been linked to players like Riq Woolen from the Philadelphia Eagles and Nahshon Wright from the New York Jets. Wright is a former Bear who had a breakout season with the team in 2025. The Bears may need to make a move before the November 10 deadline if Johnson and Stevenson continue to struggle. The difficulty of the position makes finding a reliable starter even more important for the team’s defensive success.
Implications for the Trade Deadline
Reports indicate the Bears are seeking a cornerback before the November 10 trade deadline arrives. Lacking a dependable replacement from Johnson and Stevenson, the squad aims to upgrade that position. The Bears are poking around on potentially available cornerbacks. The team made a big move for Jeffery Simmons earlier, but they still need help in the secondary. The struggles of the current cornerbacks have forced the front office to consider trading for a new player. This situation puts Johnson’s future with the team in doubt if he does not improve quickly.
One option for the Bears is to trade for Riq Woolen of the Philadelphia Eagles. Woolen is a highly regarded cornerback who could provide the stability the team needs. Another option is to reunite with Nahshon Wright, who is now with the New York Jets. Wright had a Pro Bowl season with the Bears in 2025 and knows the system well. The team could also look at other players on the market to fill the void. The deadline is approaching, and the Bears must decide whether to keep their current players or bring in new talent. The rookie Muhammad’s comments have added urgency to the situation.
If the Bears decide to move on from Johnson, they will have a clear out in his contract in 2027. Johnson admitted that this was a contract year for him and that he needed to perform well to secure his future. If he continues to play poorly, the team may choose not to extend his contract. The rookie Muhammad is ascending to become the team’s top cornerback, which could ease the transition if Johnson is traded or released. The Bears have limited weeks left in the season to see if Johnson can turn things around. The pressure is on the veteran to prove he is still a top player.
The Impact on Team Culture
The comments from Malik Muhammad have had a significant impact on the team culture within the Bears locker room. It is rare for a rookie to publicly call out a veteran star, but Muhammad felt it was necessary to speak the truth. His honesty shows that the team is not afraid to address problems head-on. This kind of accountability is essential for a team that wants to win. The rookie’s words may have sparked a conversation among the players about what is expected of them. It also sends a message to the coaching staff that the players are aware of the issues and want to see change.
The support for Johnson from the rookie was mixed with a clear demand for improvement. This shows that the rookie respects his teammate and wants him to succeed. However, he also made it clear that the team needs more from Johnson. This balance is important for maintaining team unity while still pushing for higher standards. The fact that a rookie is leading this charge shows that the team is willing to let talent speak up regardless of experience. It sets a tone of honesty and hard work for the rest of the season.
The Bears defense has been on a tear this season, but the struggles at cornerback remain a concern. The arrival of Jeffery Simmons has helped the front seven, but the secondary still needs improvement.
