The 49ers are reportedly pursuing one of the league’s best cornerbacks

In the wake of their worst defensive performance of the season, the San Francisco 49ers are eyeing a major defensive improvement for their secondary, according to multiple reports.

Disgruntled Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson, one of the top players at his position, is on the trade market because of failed contract negotiations. ESPN reporters Jeremy Fowler and Ed Werder have both indicated that the Niners are among the teams interested in making a move for Johnson ahead of the trade deadline at 1 p.m. Pacific time Tuesday. Werder specifically noted that San Francisco is competing directly with Buffalo for the corner.

If that reporting is correct, it’s a desperation versus desperation race for Johnson’s services. The Niners have been on a three-game skid that has shined a bright light on the team’s defensive issues. The Bills, meanwhile, lost their top corner Tre’Davious White for the season to an Achilles tear. If it’s a question of who can offer more to the Bears, the 49ers had an edge with an additional third-round pick that the Bills didn’t have … until they traded one of those third rounders for Commanders defensive end Chase Young. The Niners would also be closer to home for Johnson, who’s from Fresno.

There’s also the question of salary cap space, given that Johnson is due to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Presumably, the team that would acquire him in a trade would end up signing him to the extension the Bears didn’t want to give him. Even though the 49ers and Bills are in the red next season with their cap space, team front offices have shown time and time again that it’s possible to restructure things so that the money works in the end. This is to say that signing Johnson long-term doesn’t necessarily mean the Niners would have to sacrifice another extension, say, for Brandon Aiyuk.

If the Niners were to win the trade duel, Johnson would be an ideal player to keep in the long run. Over the past couple of seasons, the secondary has been the weak point in an otherwise elite San Francisco defense. Through eight weeks this season, Johnson is the third-best cornerback in coverage out of an eligible 114 players, according to Pro Football Focus. Pro Football Reference’s advanced stats show that he’s only been targeted 24 times, meaning teams don’t want to throw his way, and that the times the ball does come his direction, quarterbacks have a dismal 44.3 passer rating.

Oh, and he’s also just 24 years old.

A supposedly terrifying 49ers defense has been rendered relatively toothless throughout this three-game losing streak. Trading for Johnson would definitely be a step towards growing back their fangs.

This breaking news story has been updated.