Kyler Gordon made only five combined regular and postseason appearances in 2025. Well into the offseason, the veteran cornerback has still not been able to participate in practices.
Gordon was sidelined for OTAs due to a soft-tissue injury. That situation has now stretched through to mandatory minicamp. Gordon has been at the team’s facility while rehabbing, as noted by Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. Nevertheless, he has not been on the field so far.
“This spring was going to be a springboard for us to get going in the right direction,” head coach Ben Johnson said (via Finley) about Gordon’s situation. “So, you know, we’re still working through that. We’re still trying to get that availability piece going.”
Things have not gone according to plan on the rehab front, as demonstrated by Johnson’s remarks. There is of course still time for Gordon to heal in full leading up to training camp, but his situation will be worth monitoring over the course of the summer. The 26-year-old is on track for another season as Chicago’s starting slot corner when he is back on the field.
Gordon logged double-digit appearances during each of his first three seasons in the NFL. In 2024, the former second-rounder inked an extension making him the league’s highest-paid slot CB at the time. Gordon is under team control through 2028 as a result. Expectations will be high for a strong showing in the Bears’ secondary this season and beyond, provided the 26-year-old can avoid a repeat of last year’s separate injured reserve stints.
Despite leading the NFL in interceptions during Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen‘s first season with Chicago, the team only ranked 22nd against the pass. Improvement in that regard will be key as the Bears aim to replicate their success from last year. Gordon figures to play a key role in those efforts, but it remains to be seen when he will back to full strength.
he’s played his last NFL snap