It hasn't been an easy season for Chicago Bears starting nickel corner Kyler Gordon, but the Bears have officially opened his 21-day practice window as he returns from injured reserve.
In light of the Gordon news, head coach Ben Johnson was asked about Gordon's fill-in, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who has played exceptional football since coming to Chicago.
Of course the Bears are going to get Gordon back out there, but as for Gardner-Johnson, the head coach simply called him "a guy we’re going to want on the field," while noting the playmaker he's been since joining the Bears.
Not forgotten in all of this, either, is the fact that the Bears are going to be expecting star corner Jaylon Johnson back from injury soon, too, having opened his practice window last week as well. Now, Chicago will go from being down bad at the position to suddenly having a luxury there.
Where does CJ Gardner-Johnson fit into the Bears' defense once it's at full strength?
What exactly will Gardner-Johnson's role be once Gordon is back? That's going to be up to Dennis Allen to figure out, but Johnson hit the nail on the head.
Gardner-Johnson has to be on the field, period.
What he has going for him is the fact that he's played all over the field during his career, whether it be outside corner, slot corner, or even safety. Once (Jaylon) Johnson is back, along with Gordon, this might even mean Gardner-Johnson takes the starting job from Tyrique Stevenson.
Earlier in the year, Stevenson had been having a strong season. It has definitely been a bounce-back compared to last year, but over the last few games, he's had his fair share of times out of position.
Over his last three games, Stevenson has allowed 18 receptions on 24 targets for 290 yards. In all three of those games, he's given up an opposing passer rating over 90, including twice over 114, per Pro Football Focus.
Because of the playmaking ability of Gardner-Johnson, would he be best suited playing opposite of (Jaylon) Johnson while Stevenson rides the bench? It would be a harsh move that Stevenson might not take all that well. But Johnson and Allen need to put the best players out there.
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This is a team that is winning football games and showing up when it matters most. The second half of the season is about finding and keeping momentum, which Chicago could have a lot of thanks to its top corners returning.