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It took Jaylon Johnson a profound mental and emotional struggle to rise to the position of one of the highest-paid defensive players in the NFL.

The fifth-year cornerback for the Chicago Bears inked a four-year contract extension last week for an estimated $76 million. On Monday, he disclosed that he considered the deal a personal victory beyond just having his football skills validated.

Johnson admitted, “Last season, I went to therapy for sexual addiction.” “It was the most difficult thing for me to confide in my therapist about.”

During a contract year, Johnson was named to the second team of the All-Pro team and had four of his five career interceptions last season. He was ranked as the league’s best cornerback by Pro Football Focus after the 2017 season.

Johnson stated that he was driven to disclose his own hardships.

Johnson remarked, “It’s like, man, we’re human, too.” “We experience things. Everyone experiences different things. However, I feel that others (think) that you have to cover it up or put on a mask.

“I want to say, for one, it’s because I know I’m not the only one going through it,” Johnson said. “Two, it’s OK to go through stuff; it’s OK not to be perfect.”

Football almost became an outlet for Johnson during his therapy last year.

He worried less about getting his new contract than improving his mental health.

“I was worried about trying to get myself right because for me it’s bigger than contracts,” Johnson said. “I mean, me being who I need to be as a man, who I need to be as a father, as a partner, as a future husband, that’s more important.”