As the season opener looms for the Chicago Bears, the future of cornerback Kyler Gordon is lurking as a question. He'll miss at least the first four games of the season on IR due to a lingering calf issue, but when will he play? Will he play at all this season?
Some things are clear regarding Gordon. Head coach Ben Johnson is out of answers until something notably changes, and so is general manager Ryan Poles. We recently found out Gordon has taken his rehab process outside the building, which could be adding another layer of division to the situation.
Right or wrong, people have questioned Gordon's effort to return to action. The Bears made him the highest-paid slot corner in the league in the spring of 2025, and he missed a lot of time last season. Only he can unequivocally answer that question, as he ever will, but actions often do speak louder than words, and the Bears are clearly getting a bad message.
Dave Wannstedt offers a clear cut coach's perspective on Kyler Gordon situation
Former Bears head coach Dave Wannstedt can speak to the Gordon situation like few others can, from a coach's perspective. He would likely feel much of the same frustration Johnson does, about a slow recovery process and whatever else may be happening behind the scenes to fuel the angst.
Appearing on 104.3 The Score this week, Wannstedt pulled no punches to offer his view of what will happen with Gordon.
"I think he's done", Wannstedt said. "I think he's done...I'm predicting he's gonna come back and say 'I'm ok to play', and he lasts a week or two. Either the injury flares up, or something. But I don't think this guy's gonna play anymore. I really don't."
Fellow analyst Patrick Mannelly didn't totally disagree, noting how Johnson is trying to fortify a locker room culture in his second season, and Gordon might not be good for it. Wannstedt then mentioned a situation he dealt with as the Miami Dolphins' head coach, when Ricky Williams decided to take a year off, and the huge distraction it was.
If we know anything about Johnson, it's that he has no time for distractions. Some distractions will come across his bow no matter what, but anything that could really permeate the locker room will not be tolerated.
The longer the Gordon situation lingers, without clear-cut signs about when or if he'll play, the more likely players will be asked about it; reporters are to ask players. Johnson would certainly like to avoid it.
Read more: Bears' 4 questionable players on Week 1 injury report only creates more questions
Of course, the Bears winning a bunch of games would set aside a lot of the questions about Gordon, regardless of whether he eventually contributes. But Wannstedt knows as well as anyone how a situation a head coach has no control over can become a thing, and his take on Gordon, harsh as it was, lands credibly along that line.
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