LAKE FOREST, Illinois. – No one is happier to be back on the field than Kyler Gordon.
The third-year cornerback has settled into the role of nickelback for the Chicago Bears and is just one of the few defensive players expected to have an even more successful season.
In fact, after the last three days, perhaps the entire Bears organization is happy to see Gordon back.
The University of Washington product returned to practice last week and had a stellar preseason game against the Bengals on Saturday with a sack and two tackles for loss. He continued his streak in practice on Monday with two interceptions against Caleb Williams.
“Nothing could faze him,” said Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.
Gordon’s presence is a reminder of how complete the Bears’ secondary is this season.
They have their outside starters in All-Pro Jaylon Johnson and second-year player Tyrique Stevenson, and their safeties in Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker.
Gordon, however, brings a higher level to the Bears’ secondary with his versatile game.
At the nickelback position, Gordon brings a mix of athleticism and physicality, which is important for a player who plays in coverage, at the line of scrimmage, and from time to time blitzes.
Gordon’s ability to blitz was clearly demonstrated when he shot in from the side on a blitz and sacked Bengals quarterback Logan Woodside.
“Everyone loves a blitz,” Gordon said, noting that his teammates let him hear it after he failed to pick up the ball on the tying shot he made against Woodside.
It goes beyond flashing.
Gordon must have solid coverage and tackling skills. He showed off his tackling skills when Woodside threw a pass to Elijah Collins in the flat, which Gordon stopped in the open field. It was ruled a three-yard gain, but it would have been much more had he not tackled in the open field.
Two plays later, Gordon and Gervon Dexter combined to stop third-and-two attempts and force a fourth. Dexter and Gordon were successful again on Monday, as Dexter’s tip-in to a pass from Williams led to the second of Gordon’s two interceptions.
Gordon’s defense skills are also well-known. In his first two years with the Bears, he had five interceptions.
His reputation continues to rise, especially as he competes against a defense that he says has “unusual” chemistry.
Part of this chemistry is the desire to be productive.
“That’s how I’ve felt since the first day we got here,” Gordon said. “Everyone is starving. Everyone wants to eat.”
CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 17: Kyler Gordon #6 of the Chicago Bears gestures after a sack during the first quarter of an NFL preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field on August 17, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)
A Shell day with ups and downs
The Bears did not wear football gear on Monday, but the team still ran red zone drills.
Although Gordon had two interceptions against Williams, the rookie quarterback still made some positive throws, including three touchdown throws to Keenan Allen.
However, the offensive line needs to be reworked again, as the first team of the offensive line (Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins, Coleman Shelton, Nate Davis and Darnell Wright) were penalized three times for false starts.
Injury report from Monday
Some Bears players were unable to participate in practice on Monday, but some players were able to recover from their injuries.
Kiran Amegadije and Jaquan Brisker practiced Monday. Brisker was limited and Amegadije was active on Sunday despite being on the injury list outside of football. Noah Sewell and Roschon Johnson also returned to practice.
However, Kevin Byard, Ryan Bates, Jaylon Jones, Jacob Martin, Michael Dwumfour and Collin Johnson also did not take part in the training.
