Jaylon Johnson says he ‘100%’ would like a new contract. But that’s not why the Chicago Bears cornerback was absent from OTAs.

Jaylon Johnson would “100%” like to sign a contract extension with the Chicago Bears this offseason, he said after wrapping up practice Wednesday at Halas Hall.

But the fourth-year starting cornerback reiterated that his absence during the first two weeks of organized team activities didn’t have anything to do with his contract.

Johnson returned to Lake Forest this week for the final stretch of OTAs before veteran minicamp next week, ramping up first in individual drills and now in team drills. He said on an ESPN radio show last week and again Wednesday that he skipped the earlier voluntary sessions because he wanted to spend time with his 3-year-old daughter in their hometown of Fresno, Calif., where he also ran an event for his charity last weekend.

“Before I’m a football player, before I’m anything, I’m a dad first,” Johnson said. “I don’t get to spend too much time with her during the season because she’s back at home in California. In the offseason, I take pride in being a dad. … I’m present. I’m spending time. I’m putting my heart into my daughter. When it comes to the offseason, I take that seriously.

“I communicated that to the coaches and they understood and hopefully respected it. At the end of the day, I’m going to be there for my daughter because they can find another corner. My daughter can’t find another dad.”

Johnson was one of three starters to return this week after absences.

Safety Eddie Jackson was back after recovering from a Lisfranc injury in his left foot that ended his 2022 season, and new right guard Nate Davis also practiced. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said Davis had been at Halas Hall earlier this offseason, but Davis was not present at the two previous OTA practices open to the media.

Johnson’s absence last month was of interest because he is one of a few players potentially in line for a contract extension, and the Bears went through a “hold-in” with linebacker Roquan Smith during training camp last year. General manager Ryan Poles expressed an interest earlier this offseason — unprompted — to keep Johnson with the Bears.

Johnson, who plans to hire a new agent, said he looks forward “to staying and extending with the Bears.” But he said he isn’t worried about securing an extension before training camp and is focusing instead on what he can do to improve his game.

“I’m not worried about the timing of it,” he said. “God’s will will happen. If it’s before, during, whenever it is, I’m not stressed about it. I’m not putting too much pressure on it. At the end of the day, it’s really above me at this point.”

Johnson said he sat in team meetings via Zoom and stayed in frequent contact with new cornerbacks coach Jon Hoke and teammate Kindle Vildor while he was away. Now he has a handful of practices to catch up on anything else he missed.

“I’m a pro,” Johnson said. “I’ve been in this long enough. I know how to go about it. I know how to work out, stay in shape, continue to do what I need to do along with handling my business at home. Really just going through the installs. Just being active.”

The returns of Jackson and Davis were important for different reasons.

Davis’ arrival allows the Bears to practice with their entire expected starting offensive line, which was reshaped this offseason when they signed Davis, drafted right tackle Darnell Wright, moved Teven Jenkins to left guard next to returning left tackle Braxton Jones and sent Cody Whitehair back to center. Coach Matt Eberflus said Davis looked lean and was moving well.

“Just the chemistry part of it that you really want, right? That’s why you want all the guys here,” Getsy said. “You want them to get to know each other at a different level. Teammates that play with each other each and every day, spend time with each other outside of the building, I think that’s important stuff. As much as anything this time of the year, it’s really important for us to dive into that aspect.”

Jackson hasn’t played since he was injured Nov. 27 against the New York Jets. He was having a resurgent season with four interceptions and six passes defended in 12 games before the injury. The Bears also are ramping up his work first in individual and then team drills as he prepares for his seventh season.

“Eddie has worked his tail off to get back to where he is,” Eberflus said. “He’s in really good shape for working with the rehab staff, and I want to commend those guys, the training staff, for getting him back and commend Eddie also for the hard work that he’s put in to get to this point.

“He looks at adversity as opportunity. And that’s a great way to look at it. When you see adversity hits, he sees opportunity to show greatness and to get stronger.”

Wide receiver Darnell Mooney remains out as he recovers from ankle surgery, and Eberflus said he expects Mooney to be back for training camp. Wide receiver Chase Claypool, who has been dealing with a soft tissue injury, didn’t practice. Linebacker Jack Sanborn and rookie cornerback Terell Smith also were out.