Chicago Bears: Gordon More Comfortable After A Turbulent Rookie Season

Chicago Bears rookie cornerback Kyler Gordon had an up-and-down rookie campaign. He did show improvement as the season progressed, however. He hopes to carry the momentum of the end of the 2022 season into 2023.

When the Chicago Bears drafted cornerback Kyler Gordon, they knew they were getting an exceptional athlete with sky-high potential. Like many rookies, however, his first season was characterized by a series of ups and downs. Now, he claims to be more comfortable, confident, and ready to make an impact on the field.

Gordon’s arrival in the NFL was marked by high expectations. His athleticism, combined with his instincts for the game, made him an intriguing prospect, and the Bears were eager to see him develop into a lock-down cornerback. However, the jump from college to the pros can be quite a leap, even for the most promising players.

Gordon’s rookie season was a mixture of flashes of brilliance and rookie mistakes. He showed his potential in several games, displaying agility and quickness that hinted at a bright future. But like many rookies, he also had moments of struggle, occasionally getting beat deep or missing crucial tackles.

After struggling early in the season, Gordon showed a marked improvement as the season progressed. In his first 11 games, he had just one interception and 4 passes defended. Then he was inactive for two games.

That inactivity seemed to jumpstart him. In his final three games, he had two interceptions, 2 passes defended, and a fumble recovery. He looked more comfortable on the field than he had previously.

One of the reasons Gordon improved was because of his move to the nickel. He still played some on the outside but that was just to mix things up and add flexibility. In the nickel, he thrived. Now, with Tyrique Stevenson likely becoming the full-time starter outside, Gordon can concentrate more at nickel.

Over the offseason, Gordon focused on refining his skills and gaining a deeper understanding of the Bears’ defensive scheme. He spent hours studying film, going over his own performances, and picking up subtleties from seasoned veterans. He says he feels more comfortable now with a year under his belt.

I definitely feel way more comfortable in the situations I get put in. I feel like I can be in the same spot I was in last year and have more knowledge in that area and not make the same mistake and set myself up for success.

The fruits of Gordon’s labor became evident during the Bears’ offseason training activities (OTAs). He appeared to be more confident and composed on the field, making decisive moves and showcasing a heightened awareness of his surroundings. His coaches and teammates took note.

Defensive coordinator Alan Williams noted that Gordon is more relaxed this year.

Last year everything was just in a frenzy because he wants to please, he wants to be so good, so it’s just, ‘Ah, ah, ah,’ all the time. And now he’s OK. He’s relaxing. He’s playing within himself. He’s got his feet up underneath him. He’s communicating more than he did.

Despite the pressure of being a high-profile draft pick and the challenges he faced in his rookie season, Gordon is optimistic about his future. He feels he learned a lot from his rookie season and now wants to build on his late-season success.

That year is over and I learned what I needed to learn from it. It’s just going to get better and better.

As Gordon continues to develop, the Chicago Bears may have found themselves a long-term fixture in the secondary. He has the physical tools and the work ethic to become a top-tier cornerback in the NFL. If his growth during the offseason is any indication, the coming season will indeed be a promising one for both Gordon and the Bears.

In the high-stakes game of the NFL, the journey from rookie to seasoned veteran can be a tumultuous one. But for players like Gordon, who are willing to learn from their experiences and put in the necessary work, it can also be a journey of growth, improvement, and ultimate success.