Training camp hype is sometimes only that, hype. But when we hear concrete, factual information come out, that's when it's time to really listen. Case in point, the Minnesota Vikings might want to turn their attention to Chicago.
Thursday morning, Bears head coach met with Chicago media and gave an update on one of their most important players, cornerback Jaylon Johnson. The head coach had this to say:
"I think there's a scenario where he'll be ready for Week 1. That's really the target date."
For Vikings fans who may not have been following along, Minnesota's Week 1 opponent has been without their top cornerback (maybe their top defensive player, overall) throughout the start of training camp.
Minnesota Vikings possibly given massive gift in Week 1 thanks to Chicago Bears injury situation
To start camp, the Bears placed Johnson on the NFI (non-football injury) list with a leg injury. Bears fans would tell you they weren't too worried about the injury simply due to the fact that there was no panic amongst coaches or players.
Yet, coach Johnson's update on Thursday tells a different story. Were the Bears hiding something this entire time? Was the injury a lot more serious than anyone originally thought?
The way this was spun to the Chicago media made it sound like Week 1 is, in fact, in doubt. If coach Johnson is hoping his top cornerback is available to play, in prime time, against the Vikings, that doesn't exactly give off a huge vote of confidence.
Johnson is one of the better corners in this league and, if the Bears want any chance at upsetting the Vikings, they're going to need him. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison should be licking their chops after hearing this news.
Side note: Jefferson needs to get healthy himself, but that doesn't sound like it'll be an issue at this point.
We know Jefferson is the best wide receiver in the game (no disrespect to a man by the name of Ja'Marr). Without Johnson to shadow him, Jefferson will be facing the likes of Tyrique Stevenson.
Vikings fans should be familiar with that name, because Stevenson was the infamous culprit in the Bears' "Fail Mary" play last year against Washington. Every other NFC North foe thoroughly enjoyed laughing at the Bears' expense that day.
Stevenson on Jefferson might just be the plan for Chicago, and that, folks, is going to be a one-sided battle.