As we head into the dry parts of the NFL offseason, many could say the Chicago Bears have had yet another successful free agency period. While being dubbed the “offseason champs” isn’t necessarily important in the grand scheme of things, it’s a solid sign for Bears fans, as most feel optimistic heading into the 2025 season.
With the NFL draft right around the corner, Bears GM Ryan Poles will look to continue adding talent to this young roster, in hopes of making a playoff push. Chicago will select 10th overall a week from today and will likely add a playmaker or offensive lineman to the mix.
Another key storyline heading into this season was cornerback Kyler Gordon’s contract, which was set to expire after this season. The Bears didn’t want to lose the former Washington Husky, as they signed him to a three-year extension with $40 million in new money and $31.256 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid slot-corner in the NFL.
Gordon was the first draft pick that Poles made as the Bears’ GM, who selected him No. 39 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. He hasn’t looked back since, becoming one of Chicago’s best defensive pieces since he entered the league.
Chicago Bears DC Dennis Allen will ask Kyler Gordon to learn a new position during training camp
Gordon played in 15 games during the 2024 season, finishing with career highs in tackles (75) and fumble recoveries (three), while also recording five passes defensed and a forced fumble. He didn’t record an interception for the first time in his young three-year career, but has proven to be a ball hawk in the past.
With a brand new regime coming into Halas Hall this fall, Gordon is being asked to potentially learn a new position by his new defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen. This will be Kyler’s third defensive coordinator during his short stint here in the NFL, something I doubt many could relate to.
Patrick Finley, who is covering the Bears for the Chicago Sun-Times, posted on X today that Allen will likely ask Gordon to play some safety, as well as outside corner.
New #Bears DC Dennis Allen said they'll ask newly signed slot CB Kyler Gordon to cross train a bit either at outside CB or safety, just in case.
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) April 17, 2025
Gordon could be a great fit for the safety position, given that he’s a great tackler and provides enough speed on the back end to cover downfield passing plays. With safety being an underrated need for the Bears, Allen likely sees a good fit here with Gordon, who is fresh off his contract extension.
What does this mean for the Chicago Bears as they target potential cornerbacks in the 2025 NFL draft?
If Gordon could easily transition to safety, the thought of the Chicago Bears targeting a top-tier corner in the draft certainly comes to mind. Former Michigan Wolverine Will Johnson will likely be the first cornerback off the board, and some draft analysts have even projected the Bears to take him before this report came out.
Johnson is a solid prospect at the outside corner position, but is still pretty raw in many facets. The risk of taking him inside the top ten is high, if you ask most scouts around the league. His speed was a question before the pre-draft process, and after he refused to run the 40-yard dash during his pro day, those concerns became more legitimate.
Luckily, the Bears’ defense is already good, so this move may be more of an experiment. More pressure will fall on the offense, specifically second-year QB Caleb Williams, as he navigates with more brutal comments from the media.
With that being said, you hate to take a guy like Gordon and move him around, especially when he masters the nickel position so well. But Allen likely sees the benefit here, given the uncertainty of guys like Tyrique Stevenson and Kevin Byard as we get closer to camp. Gordon could become an even more versatile piece for this already solid defense.
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