Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is already showing in the early days of training camp that he is willing to move guys around like chess pieces to find the perfect packages.
Bears' defensive back Kyler Gordon is usually playing in the slot when he's on defense, but Allen has other plans for him. ESPN Bears beat reporter Courtney Cronin wrote on Tuesday how Gordon has been playing safety, outside cornerback, and nickel during camp.
Gordon sees it as an opportunity to show off what he can do on defense as he has more value than just shutting down slot receivers.
"Just letting there not be really a limit on what I can do," Gordon said. "It feels fun for me to know everything, everyone's responsibility -- who's there, who's helping, who don't got help, if I need to be able to switch to outside, free safety, strong safety. Having that ability is really fun and for me. I just think it's finding my next step and my level in my own game to be able to do anything and everything."
Gordon's new role and the effect it will have on Allen's secondary in 2025
Despite not recording an interception last year, Gordon put up good numbers in the secondary as he finished with 75 tackles, four tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, 0.5 sacks, five pass deflections, three fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble in 15 games. Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 76, ranking him 21st of 222 cornerbacks in the NFL.
Entering the offseason, there were some questions about the defense, as despite being able to keep teams out of the end zone, they allowed 354.3 yards per game, ranking 27th in the NFL in 2024. The secondary wasn't the problem as they were effective against the pass.
During training camp, Jaylon Johnson has been out with injury, but Jaquan Brisker returned from his concussion from last year. More pressure has been on Tyrique Stevenson and Gordon to step up in Johnson's absence and they have done the job.
A lot of discussion during training camp has been the tighter coverage Gordon and Stevenson have played, making life difficult for quarterback Caleb Williams. Gordon has performed well with multiple pass deflections and is doing a great job in coverage.
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2025 is starting to look like another great season ahead for Gordon, one that might take him to the next level of his skill development as a defensive back, rather than just a nickel corner.