On one hand, it is only May. The Chicago Bears have gotten into OTA practices and there are a lot of positive takeaways so far. The fan base should be excited about a whole lot.
On the other hand, it's only May and the Bears are already staring at an alarming issue that's popped up. Just a few days before OTAs began, it was announced that starting nickel Kyler Gordon was dealing with a soft tissue injury. As practice no. 2 got underway, Gordon was of course not practicing.
But then, according to The Chicago Tribune's Sean Hammond, Cam Lewis, one of Gordon's primary backup options walked off the field with trainers. We don't know the extent of what happened with Lewis, but the fact of the matter is, the Bears' top two options in the slot are apparently not 100 percent.
The Chicago Bears could be looking at a serious nickel corner problem
Last season, fans may remember that Gordon was only able to suit up for a total of three games. Having dealt with another soft tissue injury in his core, Gordon played the fewest games in a season that he's played since entering the NFL.
When healthy, Gordon has proven to be one of the best slot cornerbacks in the game. It is for that reason the Bears rewarded him with a 3-year, $40 million extension last spring. The former Washington standout was supposed to be a long-term cornerstone in Chicago.
But now, Gordon's injury issues just won't go away.
And as if that wasn't bad enough, Lewis appears to be banged up. The free agent addition and former Buffalo Bills utility man was signed earlier this offseason as a versatile player who could step in and play nickel if needed. In fact, that was his likely role; either a backup slot cornerback or safety and a special teams regular.
Now, the Bears could soon be left with only Josh Blackwell as the primary slot option until Gordon and/or Lewis are healthy.
It should also be mentioned that Chicago is heavily banking on Jaylon Johnson to be 100 percent healthy this year, too. If Johnson is unable to return to form, the Bears' cornerback room may look vastly different in 2027.
Between potentially letting Johnson go, Gordon's future being uncertain and Tyrique Stevenson entering a contract year, this season, the Bears have some major question marks at cornerback.
I suppose, the positive is that Chicago very likely has their safety room locked down for the foreseeable future with Coby Bryant and Dillon Thieneman.
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But, the cornerback room is going to be monitored as closely as possible in the coming weeks and months.
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