The Chicago Bears were stunned in the 2022 draft when Washington cornerback Kyler Gordon fell to their first pick in the 2nd round. Every mock draft scenario they put together had him long gone. He was one of the best players on their board by a wide margin and was an easy decision for GM Ryan Poles. After a rough start to his rookie season, Gordon rebounded down the stretch to collect four interceptions. It was a sign the young man had adjusted to the NFL’s speed. Coming into 2023, there was a tangible buzz at Halas Hall about his progress.
Unfortunately, an injury in the opener against Green Bay sidelined him for a month. Fans didn’t get to see that progress. Since returning, that has changed. While the interceptions haven’t come yet, Gordon’s presence on the field is impossible to ignore. He played his best game yet against Carolina last Thursday night, flying all over the field. It hasn’t gone unnoticed. According to NFL.com, the Bears’ second-year cornerback ranks as the fifth-best slot defender in the entire league.
“Coverage Score: 77
Pass Rush Score: 83
Tackle Score: 74
SLOT OVERALL SCORE: 80
Gordon led all Bears defensive backs in playtime last season (79.4% of defensive snaps) and he has stepped into an even bigger role this season with his slot snap rate increasing from 43.9 percent to 73.6. The second-year pro out of Washington has heeded the call, as his 5.0 yards per target allowed on slot targets is the fifth-best figure among all defenders (min. 15 slot targets).
But like Trent McDuffie, Gordon is a viable threat as a pass rusher. His five pressures are second-most among all defenders from a slot alignment (and tied for third-most among all cornerbacks), leading to the second-highest pass rush score (83) on this list.”
Kyler Gordon is steadily becoming what the Bears envisioned.
Head coach Matt Eberflus said when he took over, three positions defined what made his Tampa-2 defense function at a high level. Two were the three-technique defensive tackle and the weak-side linebacker. The other was the slot cornerback spot. Think Ronde Barber in Tampa Bay or Kenny Moore in Indianapolis. When you have somebody good in that position, everything else works better. Since returning from his injury, the Bears pass defense has improved with Gordon on the field, allowing barely over 200 yards per game.
The splash plays haven’t been there this year, but that can’t diminish his impact. Kyler Gordon is a good player. His value to the Bears’ defense is becoming undeniable. One has to imagine as the team continues to add pass rush help in the coming months, his value will only grow. The same goes for his 2022 draft classmate, Jaquan Brisker. Poles has put some nice pieces into that secondary. If Gordon can snag a few interceptions down the stretch, he might get himself into Pro Bowl consideration.
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