Kyler Gordon looked like he had Pro Bowls in his future. He's been that effective when on the field. It is why the Chicago Bears chose to extend him. They felt he would be a core part of their defense moving forward. The problem is he can't seem to do the one thing required for that: stay on the field. Gordon already had injury concerns dating back to his rookie season. He missed a combined nine games through his first three years. Things have since gone off the rails in 2025, as he has failed to appear in nine games due to multiple soft tissue injuries. The latest setback occurred in pregame warmups against Green Bay, resulting in a groin injury.
Unsurprisingly, the Packers took full advantage, targeting his replacement in the slot almost constantly throughout the game. It played a big part in the Bears' eventual loss. Head coach Ben Johnson was asked about the cornerback on Monday. It wasn't hard to sense the frustration in his response.
“It’s disappointing. I wish I had a better feel for the individual. But with him being out as much as he has been, I haven’t really gotten to see him on the field and competing and get to know him like I’d like to at this point yet.
"I do know the biggest predictor of a soft-tissue injury is having a previous one and he’s kind of in this rut right now that we’re not able to get out of. So we’re going to exhaust all of our resources in and outside of the building to make sure we’re addressing it and doing what we can to get him back and healthy again.”
Don't forget Johnson had only been in charge for a couple of months when the Bears gave Gordon his extension. It sounds like the head coach might be regretting that decision, which does not bode well for Gordon's future.
Kyler Gordon is now on a ticking clock.
Whatever grace period he enjoyed the first few years in Chicago is now gone. He got his money and is expected to start earning it. He can't do that from the sideline. If these injury problems persist, the Bears will begin to explore an exit strategy. Kyler Gordon should feel lucky his contract prevents any plausible move next year. The only way to unload him would be with a trade after June 1st, which seems unlikely. However, that will change in 2027, when they should have no issue cutting him.
It doesn't take long in the NFL to go from a cornerstone player to jobless. Gordon is good. The defense is much better when he's in the lineup. That much is obvious. Still, it doesn't do much good if he hardly plays. Gordon has a serious issue with preparation. It is the only explanation for why these soft tissue problems constantly hamper him. Either he finds a way to correct them in the near future, or he may have to start contemplating life away from Chicago. The Bears will only give him so many opportunities before saying enough is enough.
