One of the first players new Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen singled out as somebody he couldn’t wait to work with was Kyler Gordon. He felt the nickel cornerback had a unique skill set that would make him a great fit in the defensive system he planned to implement. So it probably wasn’t a surprise when the Bears worked quickly to lock the former 2nd round pick up to a contract extension. His role in the defense figures to be a prominent one moving forward. As it turns out, people might not be grasping how big.
Allen spoke about Gordon again at his most recent press conference. He’s ecstatic that the young cornerback is locked up for the future. As to the plans the coordinator has for him? Allen didn’t mince words. Gordon will not be exclusively a nickel cornerback moving forward. The Bears want to move him around from position to position, taking advantage of his versatility. That includes shifting him to the outside in certain situations and even dropping him into the safety spot. It will be about comfort level, but Allen thinks he can handle it.
Dennis Allen may see Gordon as his C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Though listed as a safety, the former New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator deployed Gardner-Johnson as a utility piece all over the field. Sometimes it was at safety and others it was in the slot as a corner. The defensive back was tough enough and athletic enough to handle the role. It certainly had an impact. New Orleans ranked 13th, 4th, and 7th in total defense with Gardner-Johnson in the secondary. Gordon is built much the same way. He’s athletic enough to play cornerback but big and tough enough to handle safety duties. Offenses will have to account for where he is at all times since Dennis Allen will move him around like a chess piece. It should make the Bears far more difficult to go against.
