One year after being shut out of the Pro Bowl, the Bears will send two players to this year’s event: cornerback Jaylon Johnson and defensive end Montez Sweat, who were named all stars Wednesday night.
It’s the such first honor for each player.
Pro Football Focus has graded Johnson as the best cornerback in the NFL this season. Sweat’s 12 ½ sacks rank 10th in the NFL.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles sent the Commanders a second-round pick for Sweat on Oct. 31. On the same day, Johnson, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, requested that Poles trade him. The GM resisted, only to watch Johnson blossom in the second half of the season. The Bears figure to keep Johnson on the franchise tag next year if they can’t negotiate a long-term deal with him during the offseason.
Wednesday marked the third time in four years the Bears have had two Pro Bowl nominees. Edge rusher Khalil Mack and special teamer Cordarrelle Patterson went in 2021; edge rusher Robert Quinn and special teamer Jakeem Grant were named to the Pro Bowl in 2022.
Last year, the NFL replaced the typical all-star game with the Pro Bowl Games, a series of skill competitions that will be held Feb. 4 in Orlando.
Pro Bowl voting total is made up of one-third fan votes, coach votes and player votes. The final fan vote, released at midday Wednesday, had Johnson ranked second at his position; safety Jaquan Brisker and kicker Cairo Santos third; and guard Teven Jenkins, linebacker T.J. Edwards and Sweat fourth.
Tight end Cole Kmet, receiver DJ Moore, fullback Khari Blasingame, tackle Darnell Wright and quarterback Justin Fields were all in the top-10 in fan voting.