Richard Sherman Podcast - Bears’ Jaylon Johnson on Rams Divisional showdown, Packers comeback & Caleb Williams

Summary

The Richard Sherman Podcast: Chicago Bears’ CB Jaylon Johnson on Divisional Showdown, Packers Comeback & Caleb Williams

Date: January 17, 2026
Show: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Presents: The Richard Sherman Podcast
Host: Richard Sherman
Guest: Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears CB

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Episode Overview

In this episode, former NFL cornerback Richard Sherman welcomes Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson after the Bears’ exhilarating playoff win. The two discuss Chicago's cardiac season, the emotional impact of a divisional playoff victory over Green Bay, the influence of coaches and mentors, defensive philosophies, the team's fashion culture, and quarterback Caleb Williams’ meteoric rise. The tone is candid, insightful, and full of the “players talking shop” energy.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Cardiac Bears & Season Resilience

• [02:29] Jaylon discusses the team’s penchant for dramatic comebacks and rollercoaster games.
  • “Every time we go into the game, of course, to start fast, let's not put ourselves in those positions and somehow, some way, we end up in the damn positions anyway.”
• They acknowledge that, while it’s not ideal, the Bears have developed relentless poise and confidence in pressure situations.
  • Sherman: "It makes you feel almost invincible because...you always get yourselves out of it."
  • Jaylon: "We have the poise and the confidence to get ourselves out of it, but it's definitely not ideal for us."

2. Jaylon’s Health & Toughness

• [03:29] Jaylon reveals he’s still not 100% healthy, often playing through pain and taking “numbing shots” just to get through practices.
  • “I'm nowhere near close to my full self...I've been taking numbing shots and all these different things to just try to halfway be out there."

3. First Playoff Win Feeling

• [04:11] Jaylon savors his first playoff win:
  • “It felt natural, felt something that I'm used to doing. I mean, I've always been a winner at heart...”

4. Intensity of Bears vs. Packers in the Playoffs

• [04:54] Sherman and Jaylon talk about the added heat in facing a divisional rival for the third time in one season:
  • “Between receivers and DBs, it's always personal. But you felt that a little more...on Saturday.”
  • Second half comeback was fueled by the defense “taking it personal” and making it “spicy.”
• Locker Room at Halftime:
  • [05:31] “Talking doesn’t help you execute...it's really just calming down, slowing down, and then going out there and just attacking and playing aggressive.”
  • Sherman notes the balance between being too hyped and too calm; Jaylon agrees it's about focus and executing indicators.

5. Veteran Influence: On "kb," All-Pro DB

• [07:10] Sherman brings up the veteran leader (“kb”) who anchors the DB group.
  • Jaylon: “He's been a blessing...huge impact on our room, on myself and some of our younger guys...His IQ is off the charts and he's moving really well...he's still like that. Obviously as you can see.”
• Noted for his regimen and role-modeling professionalism.

6. Young Teammates and DB Camaraderie

• [08:30] Jaylon reflects on younger DBs finding success, and his own supporting, not overshadowing, approach upon returning from injury.
  • “I don't ever want to be where oh I'm out and I come back and it's all he hate like, nah, it's nothing but love. You love to see good cornerback play regardless of the situation.”

7. Frustrations & Realities of DB Life

• [09:42] Memorable moment:
  • Sherman, after a missed interception due to pass interference:
    “If that's a receiver getting grabbed by db, like something called PI. But you ain't gonna call the offensive PI when he clearly got the position to catch the football and he over here getting his neck grabbed.”
  • Jaylon quips: “Life of a db.”

8. Coach Al Harris’s Impact on Turnovers

• [13:09] Sherman highlights Al Harris’s reputation for creating ball-hawking secondaries.
  • Jaylon:
    • “The biggest thing is you get what you emphasize. He emphasizes it almost too much...Anytime you drop or have a missed opportunity, you gotta pay. We emphasize the ball a whole lot.”
    • "He breathes and pours confidence into yourself...it's always just get the ball on the ground, but for him, it's, you know, how can we get the ball?"

9. Preparation for Rams and Stafford

• [14:29] Sherman gets into the nuts and bolts of the next challenge: Rams’ Stafford, Puka, and Devonte.
  • Jaylon:
    • “For us, you just have to get guys uncomfortable, get them off their spots...if you let any QB, better yet, Matthew Stafford, sit back there and be comfortable, it'll be a long day.”
    • Emphasizes disrupting timing, disguising coverages, and handling one-on-ones.

10. Adjusting to Dennis Allen’s System

• [15:45] Comparison to last year’s system under Eberflus.
  • “At first it was kind of difficult, more so the terminology, some of the rules within the coverages...But again, just trying to...Everyone getting on the same page with certain things.”
  • Notes the challenges presented by “Shanahan and McVay” motion-heavy schemes.

11. On-Field Fashion & Identity

• [17:15] Sherman shouts out Jaylon’s bold fashion sense, referencing a striking playoff fit.
  • Jaylon:
    • “I always just want to make a statement with my looks. I think I never want to blend in. I never want it to be where, okay, yeah, I've seen something like that before...Just being bold and stepping out and being confident in that.”
  • No previews on next week’s fit: "Just gotta pop out and see."

12. The Mentality in High-Stakes Moments

• [18:14] On feeling the pressure when down big:
  • Jaylon:
    • “When you down 21-3, you definitely gonna feel that for sure. But every time we got back to the sideline, we not going home...That was the biggest thing just for us to just continue to fight.”

13. Postgame Sportsmanship, Rivalry & Bad Blood

• [18:59] Sherman asks about a moment with Christian Watson (Packers WR):
  • Jaylon:
    • “Just wanted to really just tell him that I'm proud of him and that God got his hands on him and just continue to do what he's been doing and progressing the right way.”
• [19:51] On coaches fueling rivalries (Ben Johnson & Matt LaFleur’s handshake controversy):
  • Jaylon:
    • “Every player, I would say, has that hidden rivalry with somebody...you don't have to show all this love to everybody that you go against...sometimes it is bad blood, and that's okay.”
• Sherman underscores the “conflict sport” reality:
  • “No question about it. You can have bad blood...This is a conflict sport. The most conflict...It don't mean it has to be sweet 100. It can be real life.”

14. First-Year Head Coach Ben Johnson’s Leadership

• [21:58] Sherman praises Ben Johnson's transformative leadership.
  • Jaylon:
    • “It's like, God just put his hand on certain people differently...he's one of those guys who was just...honestly just built for it.”
    • “He said he's going to come in and make us uncomfortable and push us and get us to win right now. And he's done all of that.”

15. Caleb Williams’ Arrival

• [22:57] On the franchise QB’s first season:
  • Jaylon:
    • “Honestly, the opposite of [the hype, the ‘diva’ talk]...He comes in. I mean, he does his work. He's passionate about what he does. He takes pride in what he does.”
    • Discusses Caleb’s humility, practice habits, and growth—“He doesn't switch up...He'll be Superman on Sunday, then be a normal guy on Monday.”
• [24:22] Sherm shouts out Caleb’s legendary fourth-and-eight throw in the comeback win:
  • Jaylon:
    • “It's almost like he always does that...he does stuff like that all the time, like in practice, so it's almost crazy to see. But he's a different talent.”

16. Caleb’s Ceiling and Team’s Support

• [25:46] On helping Caleb become "the greatest QB of all time":
  • Jaylon:
    • “For a teammate, a supporter of that, you have to help him win games. Because quarterbacks are measured by how they win games and how many games they win and winning them in the big moment.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On DB Life & Missed Flags:

  • Sherman [09:42]: “If that's a receiver getting grabbed by db...you ain't gonna call the offensive PI when he clearly got the position to catch the football and he over here getting his neck grabbed.”
  • Jaylon: “Life of a DB.”

• On Bears' Unlikely Composure:

  • Jaylon [03:01]: “...when we do get in [tough spots], we have the poise and the confidence to get ourselves out of it, but it’s definitely not ideal for us.”

• On Being a Winner at Heart:

  • Jaylon [04:11]: “It felt good. It felt natural. Felt something that I'm used to doing. I mean, I've always been a winner at heart.”

• On Al Harris’s Impact:

  • Jaylon [13:36]: “The biggest thing is you get what you emphasize. He emphasizes [turnovers] almost too much to a point where we in the DB room debating on certain plays if we could have got a pick.”

• On Ben Johnson as Head Coach:

  • Jaylon [21:58]: “It's like, God just put his hand on certain people differently, and I think he’s one of those guys who was just honestly just built for it...He’s come in, there's—I wouldn't say there's anything negative about anything that he's come in and done.”

• On Caleb Williams

  • Jaylon [23:17]: “Caleb is the...honestly, the opposite of that [diva narrative]. Like, he's one of the guys...you see him learning, you see him growing like any other rookie, like any other player that takes pride in what the hell that they're doing...”

• On Caleb’s Game-Winning Throw:

  • Richard Sherman [24:22]: “That fourth and eight throw was crazy...boy, that throw. Yeah, I got a lot of respect for it. Critical moment. It found it. It didn’t even look open. Rome made a great catch. It just was an incredible play.”

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Important Timestamps

• [02:27] — Bears’ “Cardiac” season and team mentality
• [03:29] — Jaylon’s health struggles and toughness
• [04:11] — First playoff win reflections
• [04:54] — Divisional rivalry heat: Bears vs. Packers
• [05:31] — Halftime mentality and inside the locker room
• [07:10] — Impact of veteran All-Pro “kb”
• [08:30] — Mentorship and DB camaraderie
• [09:42] — “Life of a DB” flag frustration
• [13:09] — Al Harris and coaching turnovers
• [14:29] — Rams-Stafford preview and defensive strategy
• [15:45] — Transitioning to Dennis Allen’s system
• [17:15] — Jaylon’s bold playoff fashion
• [18:14] — Bearing down when trailing
• [18:59] — Sportsmanship and rivalry; Christian Watson injury support
• [19:51] — Ben Johnson & divisional rivalry handshake
• [21:58] — Ben Johnson’s leadership and approach
• [22:57] — Caleb Williams’ impact as a rookie QB
• [24:22] — Legendary fourth-down throw and QB “clutch gene”
• [25:46] — Supporting Caleb’s pursuit of greatness

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Summary

This episode offers a deep, firsthand player perspective on the high-stakes drama of NFL playoff football with the Chicago Bears—a mix of frank injury talk, behind-the-scenes halftime adjustments, and heartfelt praise for teammates, coaches, and mentors. Jaylon Johnson distinguishes himself as both a leader and a humble team player, while Richard Sherman’s questions pull out nuanced football details and wider culture. Bears fans and football junkies alike will find valuable insights about team psyche, defensive philosophy, NFL friendships and rivalries, and the special rookie season of Caleb Williams.

Tone: Genuine, competitive, with a balance of humor, candidness, and player-to-player respect.
For whom: Perfect for NFL fans, especially Bears followers, students of defensive football, and anyone curious about the inner workings of playoff teams and high-performance sports culture.

Transcript

[Podcast Narrator]

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[Richard Sherman]

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[Nav Green]

This show contains information subject to but not limited to personal takes, rumors, not so accurate stats, and plenty more. What's up, man? This your boy? Nab Green from the Broken Play Podcast. Look, it's the end of season. The playoffs are here. Guess what? It ain't the end of your season. You can always tune in with Broken Play Podcast with Nav Green on the Black Effect Podcast Network. Not a team who ain't going to the playoffs. The Chief. It's time to rebuild. Listen to Broken Play with Nav Green from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Richard Sherman]

Welcome back to the Richard Sherman Podcast and I just want to say I appreciate you guys. You can be getting your NFL content from anywhere, but you're here with me. I'm thankful for you. So hit that sub button so you can get the notifications when I'm dropping a new episode. All love. Hope you guys are having a great New Year's, accomplishing all your New Year's resolutions and staying healthy. Welcome back to the Richard Sherman Podcast. We got an incredible guest cornerback of the Chicago Bears, Jaylen Johnson. Appreciate you joining me, brother.

[Jaylen Johnson]

Yes, indeed. Cardiac Bears.

[Richard Sherman]

Cardiac Bears. Boy, I tell you what Tough, tough, y'.

[Jaylen Johnson]

All.

[Richard Sherman]

What I'll say is when you on the team, I'm sure, like the feeling of. Of ultimate, you know, almost like the roller coaster, it. It makes you feel almost invincible because you get. You keep getting you guys selves in situations like this, but you always get yourselves out of it.

[Jaylen Johnson]

Yeah.

[Richard Sherman]

So does it give you guys a sense of confidence and a sense of reassurance that, hey, regardless of how it looks at the beginning, we could pull it off?

[Jaylen Johnson]

Yeah. 100. It's crazy because, I mean, every time we go into the game, of course, to start fast, let's not put ourselves in those positions and somehow, some way, we end up in the damn positions anyway. So it's been really crazy for us because I mean, that's. We. We preach not being in those positions, but of course when we do get in and we have the poise and the confidence to. To get ourselves out of it, but it's definitely not ideal for us.

[Richard Sherman]

Well, this has been a great year for you guys, your team, overall. Obviously you. You got a little banged up, but you came back. How you feeling now?

[Jaylen Johnson]

I mean, every. Every week is a fight, I think really just continuing to talk about it and just be open about it. But I've. I'm nowhere near close to my full self and feeling comfortable. I mean, I've told Chad and them the other day, like, man, I been taking numbing shots and all these different things to just try to halfway be out there trying to finish practices throughout the week and just really just fighting. So I mean, for myself, it's just getting back to being comfortable as best as I can. I mean, putting in extra work, of course, outside of the facility to give myself the best chance to succeed. But I mean, I'm feeling better, I'm getting better, and that's all I can ask for right now. Just continue to strap up and give my team a chance to win.

[Richard Sherman]

That was your first playoff game or first playoff win. Tell me how that felt.

[Jaylen Johnson]

I mean, it felt great. I think it's funny because it's long time that I haven't been able to get there. It felt. It felt good. It felt natural. Felt something that I'm used to doing. I mean, I've always been a winner at heart, but just to be able to have it come to fruition in that way, in that form and that facet, it definitely felt really good.

[Richard Sherman]

And you know, I've dealt with it before. Just playing a division team in the playoffs is so much familiarity. It's so much. So many Underlying like rivalries and like little animosity. You know, they talk about my little, you know.

[Jaylen Johnson]

Yeah, now you good.

[Richard Sherman]

But. But talk about that and talk about just playing the Green Bay packers for a third time for, for. For such a, you know, for, for a winner go home.

[Jaylen Johnson]

Right? No, I mean it was to the point. It definitely gets spicy. It definitely gets a little more. More than just, I would say the winner go home. I think it. Between of course receivers and DBs. It's always personal. But you felt that a little more, I would say out there on, on Saturday. So just continue to b. But really just taking it personal. I think that was the biggest thing, especially for us on defense. Coming out in the second half and just taking it personal. Then putting up 21 points in the first half. I mean it was almost 21 0. That's normal. You give up the sticks on that. So for us, yeah, for us it was just, man, take it personal. We. We had nothing but fighting. It's that whole second half.

[Richard Sherman]

So what was that conversation like in the locker room at halftime? Because I've been part of that, those conversations. It's. We were down 160 NFC or NFC Championship against Green Bay and boy, it was. It was serious and it wasn't panic, but it was 100% get it tight.

[Jaylen Johnson]

It was, it was definitely that I think too. I mean you want to get in there and it's, come on guys, we got it. D D and it's like that talking ain't gonna help us win right now because I mean we came into the game talking hype and doing, going over all this, going over that. But talking doesn't help you execute. And I know for us on defense we needed to get out there and have our eyes in the right spots and execute and truthfully win our one on ones. Cause I mean we didn't do it enough. And then we had some bad eyes in situation. We'll give him some, some touchdowns and things like that. So it's really just calming down, slowing down and then going out there and just attacking and playing aggressive.

[Richard Sherman]

Yeah, I think, I think the, the perfect playoff like vibe and mindset on the field is right between, you know, me. It ain't the hype, you know, I mean running around and screaming, but it's not the like too calm, too poised. It's. It's hey, indicators, indicators, indicators.

[Jaylen Johnson]

Then it's n. Yeah, minutes go 100%.

[Richard Sherman]

Yeah, soon as I get my indicators, bang this, that I'm here. We communicated. Now I'm flying, flying with My hair on fire. And that's, that's what it looked like y' all did in the second half.

[Jaylen Johnson]

Now that was, that, that was the biggest thing for sure. I know kb he's, he's been around and been in these big time games and the biggest thing he was saying is, man, we gotta, we gotta just execute. We gotta get our eyes in the right spot. And not just talking and doing all this hoorah. And that was something I definitely took him, was like, okay, let's just keep fighting, let's just keep fighting. And then slowly but surely we start chipping away at the bid, we start getting stops, we start building confidence and then the table started to turn in our favor.

[Richard Sherman]

Well, I want to talk about kb. He got another all Pro this year and, and it's late in his year, people thought he was done and he, he turns it around and has one of the best years of his career. Talk about the impact that he's had in the, in the, in the balance and calm that he brings to the back end.

[Jaylen Johnson]

I mean, he's been a blessing, I think for me, just not of course on the football side, but just as man to man, just being able to be around him, talk to him, get to know him. He's definitely been somebody that has made a huge impact on our room, on myself and some of our younger guys. Just how he goes about handling business and then even just taking care of your body. I know he put me on to some of his IV people and just different ways that he takes care of his body. And I didn't know this until a few weeks ago. He never missed a game. So just like little things like that, it's like, dang, you've been regimented for so long. You've been doing these things for so long. You can really not do anything but take notes and to really listen and see why he is the way that he is. And he's definitely been somebody that I've loved to be around. But first and foremost, I mean he's, he's an intelligent guy. His IQ is off the charts and he's moving really well. I know just talking to him, he doesn't feel like the age that he is and the years that he's played, so he's definitely trending in the right direction. And unexpectedly, for a lot of people and a lot of teams not really knowing what he be, but he's, he's, he's still like that. Obviously, as you can see.

[Richard Sherman]

Yeah, he's still getting it done at a high level and, and young Naysha has found his foot to a degree and got his hands on some footballs and that's been really cool to see. Have you done any mentoring of him and, and how have you guys conversations been in the locker room and on the field?

[Jaylen Johnson]

No, honestly, not too much because I mean again I've been out for, for some time and been in the beginning of the year during camp, I wasn't really there and then of course, excuse me, after surgery, not really being around too much. And then when I do come back, he's already who he is and made all the plays that he's made. So I mean for me it's just more so just supporting him in that. I know when I first got back I was telling hey bro, you playing good football, you making good plays on the ball. Just supporting him in that role. I don't ever want to be where oh I'm out and I come back and it's all he hate like, nah, it's nothing but. But love. You love to see good cornerback play regardless of the situation and what it is. So that's really been the biggest thing. Just making sure that we all on the same page. I see things how he sees it or how do you play it, how do what makes you do certain things, but really just building off of each other from, from that perspective. And I mean even now being on the same field together, just continue to encourage each other. But hopefully he's here next year so that relationship can continue to build.

[Richard Sherman]

I thought he was going to get that book when he went up with one.

[Jaylen Johnson]

Oh yeah.

[Richard Sherman]

But I said if that's a receiver getting grabbed by db like something called PI. Yeah, but you ain't gonna call the offensive PI when he clearly got the position to catch the football and he over here getting his neck grabbed. I said just buy it's a life.

[Jaylen Johnson]

Life of Life of a db.

[Richard Sherman]

Life of a db.

[Nav Green]

This show contains information subject to but not limited to personal takes, rumors, not so accurate stats, and plenty more. What's up, man? This your boy, Nav Green from the Broken Play podcast. Look, it's the end of the season. The playoffs are here. But guess what? It ain't the end of your season. You can always tune in with Broken Play podcast with Nav Green on the Black Effect podcast Network work. Not a team who ain't going to the playoff. The Chiefs.

[Jaylen Johnson]

What's a wrap?

[Nav Green]

It's time to rebuild. Who your MVP right now then Drake May up there.

[Jaylen Johnson]

Josh Allen up there still. Oh, my boy Matthew Stafford where did Bo Nicks at? He ain't too far behind.

[Podcast Narrator]

He did all this talking.

[Jaylen Johnson]

Hey, what Matthew Stafford is doing statistically, bro is crazy.

[Nav Green]

Bro, you know I ain't no Josh Allen fan, but Matthew Stafford got better weapon. Caleb Williams.

[Jaylen Johnson]

Hey, he should be in that conversation.

[Podcast Narrator]

In what conversation?

[Nav Green]

Listen to Broken Play with Nav Green from the Black and White Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcast.

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[Cam Jordan]

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[Jaylen Johnson]

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[Richard Sherman]

And speaking of, of life of a db, talk about Al Harris, because he's had impact. Everywhere he goes, the DB's getting, getting the football every. He was in. He was in Dallas and, And they break, they break the record for, for pick sixes and Trey get 10 picks in that year. And then he comes here and you guys lead the league and interceptions and turnovers. What is, what is it about him and what he's coaching that that makes it, I mean, so special?

[Jaylen Johnson]

The biggest thing is you get what you emphasize. And I know he's, he emphasizes it almost too much to a point where we in the DB room debating on certain plays if we could have got a pick. And just different things like that. Anytime you drop or have a missed opportunity, you gotta, you gotta pay. So I think for us, it just, yeah, we, we just emphasize the ball a whole lot. And he just breathe, breathes and pours confidence into yourself to where it's like, yeah, you can. You made a good play on the ball, but how can you get interception? How can you pick it up? And for. For us as DBs, of course, it's always just get the ball on the ground, but for him, it's, you know, how can we get the ball? And then also too, just his IQ as well, I would say. Is it talked about enough? Of course, people don't know what all goes into that, but definitely how he sees quarterbacks, how he sees schemes, how he sees route stems and different things like that. He's very knowledgeable on that and he definitely helps guys get to the ball with the right reads.

[Richard Sherman]

Yeah, it's, it's. It's been evident. It's been evident. And it's a tough matchup this week with Stafford and, and Puka and, And Devonte. Of course it. What are you guys doing or what are you seeing on tape that. That, you know, helps you feel confident? Obviously, Matt Stafford is, is the leading candidate for MVP of the league this year, but, you know, there, there have been games he struggled and he's gotten God and, and Carolina seemed to have a good plan. What did you see from their tape that that helped give you a Little bit of confidence going into this week. Week.

[Jaylen Johnson]

I think really the confidence just comes. I mean, again, everybody, every dog can have his day. And I think for us, as one of those teams where you just have to get guys uncomfortable, get them off their spots, I mean, if you let any quarterback, better yet, Matthew Stafford sit back there and be comfortable, it'll be a long day. But I think also too disrupting timing, getting in certain windows. We know they like to do a lot of in breakers. That's really what they do. But also too, you got to stand up in your one on ones as well with Puka and Devonte at times and would just say giving different disguises, different looks too because if you sit in one high all game, it'll be easy to figure that out. And you sit in too high, that's easy. So I think disguises, matchups, getting in certain windows, disrupting timing and then also getting on the quarterback as well.

[Richard Sherman]

No question about it. No question about it. You guys, you guys have been a little different with Dennis Allen than you were with Eber Flutes last year. But it's still, you know, still just as effective. How has that been for you? Just trying to adjust to a new system, a new scheme and coming back from the injury and all the stuff that's going on.

[Jaylen Johnson]

Honestly, it's been. At first it was kind of difficult, more so. The terminology, some of the rules within the coverages and things like that is always, I would say, the hardest. But after a while, I mean, for us it's so I would say matchy in a way where our cover threes were more so matching our quarters is more so matching. So really for me it's not as long as they're split out wide. I mean, it's pretty simple. It's really me, me and him. So I think for, for the most part it's been simple. But again, just trying to. That first year of getting all those rules down, everybody getting on the same page with certain things. Course, when you go through the Shanahan tree and the McVeighs and all that, the motions tend to always mess with your rules as they know. So really just things like that, you can never, I would say figure all of that out all the time as you're constantly adjusting to the types of motions and different motions that teams like that are doing. So we're figuring it all out together as a unit. But overall, for me, I got it down.

[Richard Sherman]

I'm sure, I'm sure having that game against San Francisco and what Was that week? 15, 16 Whatever it was is going to help you guys in this week, help you prepare because obviously they're not the exact same offenses, but you can feel their similarities. Yeah, they definitely cousins. We gotta talk about your fit.

[Jaylen Johnson]

Let's do it.

[Richard Sherman]

That boy, that boy came in there with the, with the big roses, the all red, the red cowboy. What went into it? Boy, it looked good. You look.

[Jaylen Johnson]

Hey, I appreciate it. I appreciate it. I mean, honestly, I think for me it's just. I always just want to make a statement with my looks. I think I never want to blend in. I never want it to be where. Okay, yeah, I've seen something like that before. And so I kind of wanted to be a head scratcher because I know a lot of things I wear a lot of people wouldn't. Wouldn't dare to wear. So I think really just for me, it's just part of who I am and my personality and just being bold and stepping out and being confident in that. But I mean my, my guy, my style has been doing a heck of a job, I would say since I've returned, we've been putting a lot of good looks together and looking to keep that up throughout these playoffs and hopefully get to that bowl so I could really step out.

[Richard Sherman]

Yeah. Yeah. I'm looking forward to seeing a fit this week. Any. Any previews, anything we should be looking for or looking forward to?

[Jaylen Johnson]

Nah, I can't get a previews on the fit, man. Just gotta, just gotta pop out and see.

[Richard Sherman]

Okay. We g. Like I'm gonna keep an eye on it. Cuz it's gonna be the game. You know, it's the playoffs. Everybody watching.

[Jaylen Johnson]

Might be your last.

[Richard Sherman]

It might be your last. It's. It's do or die. Did you feel that in the game or did you get lost in it?

[Jaylen Johnson]

No, no, no, no. I, I mean when you down 21 3, you definitely gonna feel that for sure. But I think really just for, for me the whole time was just like, man, we can't go home. Just every time we got back to the sideline, we not going home. Excuse me. I think that was the biggest thing just for us to just continue to fight and realize where. Where we were and what it's going to take for us to get back on track. And I was fighting.

[Richard Sherman]

Yeah. And that. I think sometimes those moments kind of, kind of define you and they, they help grow as a defense, as a team because you're like, hey, back against the wall. Who really ready to rock. And that was a song we used to listen to all the Time.

[Jaylen Johnson]

But.

[Richard Sherman]

That was cool. That was cool. You. You and Christian Watson had a moment after the game, you know, where it looked like you just was over there telling him, keep his head up and encourage him. What was that about?

[Jaylen Johnson]

I mean, really just that. I mean, of course I prayed for him when he got injured last year at the end of the season, and then just really just seeing him come back the way that he did. I know a lot of major injuries sometimes can make guys come back different or not move the same, but he's definitely been coming. He definitely came back and was moving good and doing his thing when he. When he got back. So just wanted to really just tell him that I'm proud of him and that God got his hands on him and just continue to do what he's been doing and progressing the right way.

[Richard Sherman]

Yeah, he's done it. He's done a fantastic job. You guys have done a fantastic job. Your head coach, Ben Johnson, has been fantastic. But I know you've seen these. These handshakes and the controversy thinking about he buying into this rivalry. Boy, I tell you what, I love it.

[Jaylen Johnson]

I mean, for me, it's like we always have. I mean, even I seen it today. I was thinking back, like, he came into it talking about Matt LaFleur. Like, he didn't talk about Kevin O'. Connell. He didn't talk about Dan Campbell and nobody. He specifically talked about lafleur. And it's like every player, I would say, has that hidden rivalry with somebody that they go against. And I think for him, it may be lafleur. So, I mean, I feel like it just added to the rivalry. But there's no way he just had smoke with Buddy just because of the robbery. I think it's a little something. Something else that was brewing beforehand. But, I mean, I like it. And then you don't have to show all this love to everybody that you go against competing. And I mean, sometimes it is. Is bad blood, and that's okay. I mean, I'm sure. And you. I would say you still see the respect that. That's there, but, I mean, I don't. You don't always have to show love as a competitor.

[Richard Sherman]

No, you can have bad blood. I think we. We in a day and age where. Where people are so, like. Like it's so, like, conflict adjacent. Like, nobody really wants no conflict. This is a conflict sport. The most conflict, the most conflict. I don't really have to. You know, there's good sportsmanship, and you can ask sportsmanship. We shake hands after the game. It don't mean it has to be sweet 100. It can be real life.

[Jaylen Johnson]

Like, the nature of our sport isn't. Isn't about love, for sure.

[Richard Sherman]

Right? And the nature of our position is really a lot of smoke. Like, you trying to embarrass me at the core.

[Jaylen Johnson]

You trying to do me wrong.

[Richard Sherman]

I'm trying to do you wrong. I'm trying, and I'm trying to do your end. And that's. That's what I love about playing defense. Like, I really get to line up and let you know, like. Like, go ahead and say what you want to say, but you gonna have to come out here and on some plays, I'm gonna have to cover you and be at your will and try to figure it out. Some plays you're gonna have to block, and I'm gonna have to manhandle. Yo, that's into the pot. I love it. I love it. I love it, man. It's gonna be a fun game this week. How. How did you feel? How do you feel Ben Johnson has done this season? Just, it seems like from the outside looking in, he's been fantastic. He's been a great motivator. He has those sayings in the locker room every single week. He's guided this team to a playoff win for the first time in 15 years. How is it from the inside?

[Jaylen Johnson]

I mean, it's really just that. I mean, some people. It's funny, we were talking about the other day. It's like God just put his hand on certain people differently, and I think he. He's one of those guys who was just. Honestly just built for it. I mean, it's like, you can. You can have guys that are coaches that come in and they're good motivators, but they're not the best coach or they're not the best teacher. Then you have guys that are great coaches, great teachers, but they're not the best motivated. They're not good in front of a room. He just kind of naturally has both, and I mean, he calls a heck of a game on offense as well. So I think that's just something that you don't really see too often, I would say, when it comes to new hires and things like that, especially doing it your first year. But he's definitely been something that has changed the trajectory of this organization and clearly this season and this team. So, I mean, he's come in, there's. I wouldn't say there's anything negative about anything that he's come in and done, and he's kept his word to what he said. He said he's going to come in and make us uncomfortable and push us and get us to win right now. And he's done all of that.

[Richard Sherman]

And Caleb Williams. Caleb Williams, you can't say enough positive things about him. A young kid with high expectations coming into the league and, and, and to, For, For. For every right. He's. He's lived up to him. He's. He's done what he's supposed to do. He's won football games. Talk about how he is in the locker room and your relationship with him, he's honest.

[Jaylen Johnson]

It's funny because, I mean, even when he was coming into the draft, it was just always talked about the nails and everything that didn't matter. And him being a diva and prima Nike. Caleb is the. Honestly, the opposite of that. Like, he's one of the guys. I mean, he comes in. I mean, he does his work. He's passionate about what he does. He takes pride in what he does. And I mean, at the end of day, you see him learning, you see him growing like any other rookie, like any other player that takes pride in what the hell that they're doing and being around them more, Just seeing them in the building more, spending more time, and they're really just honestly just keeping an eye out on him and kind of just watching how he goes about his business, just seeing how he's studying more, just seeing how he's in the trainer room more, just seeing how he's building relationships around the building more. It's just something that you love to see. And he just. He doesn't switch up. I mean, he's. He is who he is throughout the week. I mean, he'll be Superman on Sunday and then be a normal guy on. On Monday. And I think you just love to see things like that. You love to see his humility. And his family's great. His mom is great. They always show love. So definitely know that he come from. From a good and solid foundation. Just love to see where he's going.

[Richard Sherman]

Yeah, I mean, he showed up big time in the fourth quarter in that game. I made some critical fourth and eight. That fourth and eight throw was crazy. I don't know how y' all conversation went Monday or Tuesday. You know, we always had Tell the truth Mondays, but, boy, that throw. Yeah, I got a lot of respect for it. Critical moment. It found it. It didn't even look open. Rome made a great catch. It just was an incredible play.

[Jaylen Johnson]

Yeah. And it's crazy. Cause it's like when you watch it for me at least, watching all over the Internet, it's almost just like he always does that. It's almost like you don't. It doesn't feel like surreal, like in a moment. Of course, because it was fourth, fourth down. You think about it, it's like, nah, that's a great pickup. But it's like when you really watch it, it's like he does stuff like that all the time, like in practice, so it's almost crazy to see. But he's. He, He's a different. He's a different town. I think you kind of just change and move your expectations with certain cats. And he's one of those guys where it's like, that's just him being him. Like. No, no, no, don't worry about that. Put too much into it. He's just, he's just, he's just that type of guy.

[Richard Sherman]

Yeah, yeah, he's that kind of guy. And it's, it's a different kind of clutch. And you know, you. I don't think you realize and understand it in a moment, but that was an instant classic game. That was an instant classic. I mean, a historic game between two historic franchises in the playoffs. And he made the play of the game when y' all had to have it. It's just so extraordinary what he's been able to do and how you guys have been able to live up to the expectations and defy the expectations week in and week out.

[Jaylen Johnson]

Yeah, I mean, for him especially, I think it's just a step in a stepping stone in the right direction of being the greatest quarterback of all time. I know that's one of his greatest goals that he wants to accomplish. And I know for. For a teammate, a supporter of that, you have to help him win games. Because quarterbacks are measured by how they win games and how many games they win and winning them in the big moment. So me being a supporter of that, being on the defense is definitely something I take pride in. And helping him get to that level of winning these big time games and finishing off these games and they're really just trying to just help him best way we can because we know quarterback really drives it all.

[Richard Sherman]

Yeah, no question about it. No question about it. Well, I appreciate your time, brother. If you got any questions for me, feel free. But I noticed your off day, it's the playoffs. You got to take care of your body. And I appreciate the time that you gave me today.

[Jaylen Johnson]

Yeah. Now I'm gonna hit your line, man. I'm need some notes. Heading to this weekend.

[Richard Sherman]

No question. No question.

[Jaylen Johnson]

Let's talk about it. I'm holl at you.

[Richard Sherman]

Yes, sir.

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[Podcast Narrator]

On June 11, 1998, a deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department went missing.

[Jaylen Johnson]

Hey, if they'll kill a cop and bury him, what are they gonna do to me?

[Advertiser/Promoter]

What really happened to the missing deputy?

[Podcast Narrator]

Valley of Shadows, a new series from.

[Advertiser/Promoter]

Pushkin Industries about crime and corruption in California's high desert.

[Podcast Narrator]

Listen to Valley of shadows on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Nav Green]

This show contains information subject to but not limited to personal takes, rumors, not so accurate stats, and plenty more. What's up, man? It's your boy, Nab Green from the Broken Play podcast. Look, it's the end of the season. The playoffs are here. Guess what? It ain't the end of your season. You can always tune in with Broken Play podcast with Nav Green on the Black Effect Podcast Network. Not a team who ain't going to be playoffs. The chief. It's time to rebuild. Listen to Broken Play with Nav Green from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast or whatever, you get your podcast back in 2016.

[Podcast Narrator]

We said, let's do a podcast. Little did we know it would last 10 years. I mean, but here's the thing. Stay out of the forest. You're in a cult. Call your dad. This is terrible. You guys, stay sexy. Don't get murdered. Elvis, do you want to cook a cookie? My favorite Murder turns 10 this month. Join us for new episodes every Thursday on the exactly right network. Listen to my favorite murder on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Goodbye. This is an I heart podcast. Guaranteed human.