Jaylon Johnson’s pivotal pick-6 sparks a revival of the Chicago Bears’ days of takeaways

It felt like cornerback Jaylon Johnson must’ve run a mile on his 67-yard interception return for a touchdown during the Chicago Bears’ 27-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Soldier Field.

Perhaps that’s why he didn’t seem to be in the mood to take a victory lap during his postgame interview.

How did it feel?

“Good.”

How about the fact that it comes after Caleb Williams’ interception? You feel like you kind of picked him up a little bit?

“That’s what we did the whole game.”

Perhaps Johnson wasn’t chatty because he’s had a bullseye on his back for much of the season, particularly maligned for subpar performances against the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots.

But he came through with a primetime play in the third quarter, when the Bears desperately needed a flip in momentum.

And the defense as a whole did that all game, as the cornerback alluded, recording two interceptions and holding the Bucs to 11 points after the Bears’ offense gave up five turnovers.

“Defense was outstanding,” coach Ben Johnson said. “And I thought that showed throughout that game.”

With 4 minutes, 38 seconds left in the third quarter, Williams threw a quick strike to Luther Burden III, but Jacob Parrish’s defense caused the ball to bounce up in the air to Alex Anzalone, who caught Williams’ fourth interception of the night.

Down 17-13, quarterback Baker Mayfield had the Bucs in dangerous territory — the Chicago 36-yard line — to potentially take the lead on their next touchdown.

But on second-and-9, just two plays after Williams’ pick, Johnson cut off a pass intended for Cade Otton and pretty much had clear sailing, save for Montez Sweat’s block on Mayfield to spring the last few yards.

After crossing into the end zone, Johnson dropped to his knees. It was his first interception return for a touchdown since his fourth-quarter, 39-yard pick-6 against Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Brian Hoyer on Oct. 22, 2023.

Asked what he saw on his pick of Mayfield, he said, “I just seen God just moving through me, just working through me. Just none of me, all of Him.”

During several brief exchanges, Johnson was asked why he didn’t seem happy after the game.

“I’m really happy,” he said. “I don’t need to display my happiness in front of the cameras.”

There were plenty of teammates who were happy for him.

“We (offensive players) were on the sideline — I don’t think there’s anybody we could’ve been happier for, to go out there and do that,” wide receiver Kalif Raymond said. “(It’s) because of how much time he has spent the last eight weeks after practice catching footballs, catching those picks.

“It’s either (quarterbacks) Tyson (Bagent) or Miller (Moss), somebody, I mean they’re just throwing balls so he can go track them and get them. So very happy to see that work come to fruition.”

Nickel corner Kyler Gordon said, “I just think he deserved it. He works hard every day. He’s a grinder.”

The defense knew they were in for a grind on Sunday.

The Buccaneers defense notched four interceptions for a second straight week, picking four off Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in Week 8’s 16-0 win.

Tampa Bay’s offense put up a franchise-record 324 rushing yards in that game.

But the Bears’ defense held steady Sunday in the face of Williams’ four interceptions and a fumble Burden lost during a play in which he was shaken up. That play led to a Bucs touchdown, tying the game at 24.

Despite those circumstances, the Bears’ defenders yielded just 11 points: a field goal, touchdown and 2-point conversion.

“Gritty, tough, physical,” Gordon said. “As much as you don’t want it to happen that way, I think you’ve got to feel that sometimes.

“Good little nip in the butt.”

In several instances in the game, however, the Bears nipped trouble in the bud.

Ultimately, Williams threw a 38-yard pass to Colston Loveland to set up Cairo Santos’ game-winning 38-yard field goal.

Simmons said, “I didn’t panic because Caleb is a baller. … One thing I told Caleb, we’ve got his back. And just like at the end of the game, when we really needed to get down to field goal range, he did his part.”

In some ways, Sunday night’s game was reminiscent of the Bears’ defense from last season, when they led the league with 33 takeaways and sparked some frenetic rallies.

“The defense stepped out really well today,” Josh Blackwell said. “(Johnson) had that pick-6. Cam, same thing. It’s good to get takeaways, and when you get them, they come in bunches.

“It’s a different season with the same mindset.”

Gordon echoed Blackwell.

“It comes in bunches, so that’s a good little two right there. Just wait, there’s gonna be more,” Gordon said with a wink before walking away.

plthompson@chicagotribune.com