This is no longer just a "question mark," folks. We're about to watch the Chicago Bears enter into training camp without any semblance of an answer to one of the biggest questions this roster currently has.
Will Kyler Gordon be healthy?
This is starting to get to a point where some fans could be worrying about Gordon's career coming to a screeching halt. With the soft tissue injuries not going away and his health continuing to be a massive problem, the Bears have to wonder about life after their star nickel corner.
Maybe, just maybe, that's why they brought in former Buffalo Bills defensive back Cam Lewis during free agency. As he goes into his first training camp with the Bears, Lewis might be relied upon in a way he didn't originally see coming.
We've talked endlessly about the Gordon health concerns. It's nothing new, and it's quite frankly a tender subject for Bears fans. But the reality is what it is. The Bears absolutely have to have a plan in place for what happens in the case that Gordon either can't get on the field or he just isn't going to return to being the same guy.
That's where Lewis could play an integral part for Dennis Allen, who we know is able to squeeze the most out of every one of his defensive backs over the years.
Cam Lewis is a better Kyler Gordon insurance policy than Bears fans might think
I had the chance to speak with one of FanSided's Bills experts, Brandon Ray, because, after all, Lewis had spent his entire 6-year career with Buffalo prior to signing in Chicago. I asked him what he saw as Lewis' strengths and potential in Chicago's defense, particularly when it came to possibly replacing Gordon.
Directly responding to whether Lewis could replace Gordon, Ray had this to say:
"I think he could be, but I view him more as a true safety. However, he does have the versatility to be in the slot so I would say yes, but lightly ... Depending on the scheme that Chicago runs, that's where it could be a difference-maker. He's only known a 4-2-5 under Sean McDermott and he was more of a zone type of guy. If he's used in that role, he should do just fine."
Fortunately, Dennis Allen uses a nice split between both zone and man coverage, so Lewis could see a good chunk of time playing some zone if he's out there.
As for an overall assessment of Lewis on the Bears, Ray gave Chicago fans an excellent review:
"Cam Lewis was an extremely underrated player for the Bills because of his versatility, whether it was at safety or in the slot. Personally, I think Chicago got themselves a hidden gem if he is used correctly."
It sure seems like the Bears could have their answer for a potential Gordon replacement, in Lewis, and even though Ray also told me the one weakness he'd look out for is a slower first step, Lewis has actually been pretty reliable in coverage overall.
Let's look at the nitty gritty between both Gordon and Lewis.
Gordon has allowed eight touchdowns on a total of 209 targets over the course of his career, which is good for 3.82 percent. Lewis, meanwhile, has allowed three touchdowns on 128 targets over his career, which is good for 2.34 percent.
Last season, Lewis allowed an opposing quarterback rating of just 82.5, which is more than sufficient for a safety or slot corner. He also allowed a career low in yards per target (min. 15 targets) with just 5.6.
By comparison, Gordon allows 8.3 yards per target for his career and, surprisingly, an opposing quarterback rating of 103.3.
Between Bills fans raving about Chicago getting a steal of a signing and Lewis' actual production on the field, maybe Bears fans should feel a little sense of relief when it comes to the Gordon injury situation.
Read more: Hidden Bears UDFA may push for a roster spot in training camp
Possibly losing the version of Gordon we came to know and love is a difficult reality, but an addition like Lewis might make up for it.
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