Today was not a good day to be Kyler Gordon.
Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles and Head Coach Ben Johnson met with the assembled media at Halas Hall for their first press conference before the start of training camp. One of the major topics of discussion during their chat session was Gordon, whose health issues continue to keep him off the field. Gordon was dealing with an injury that kept him from fully participating in the offseason training program. Fast-forward to the end of July, and Gordon finds himself on the physically-unable-to-perform list. And worse than that, it seems like Gordon also finds himself firmly in the coach’s (and GM’s) doghouse.
This is what Johnson and Poles had to say today:
Here's the Ben Johnson quote on Kyler Gordon. Short and maybe not so sweet.Via @ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/9V4WzhxlwI
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) July 28, 2026Ben Johnson was asked what his message to DB Kyler Gordon is:"Get healthy."#Bears
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) July 28, 2026#Bears GM Ryan Poles says Kyler Gordon has a calf injury. "Obviously, he's frustrated. We're frustrated. Everybody here is putting there time and effort to getting him back."
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) July 28, 2026“When he gets back, we need him to stay back.” — Bears GM Ryan Poles on Kyler Gordon (calf). The team’s frustration is pretty clear at this point.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) July 28, 2026Those guys did not mince words when discussing Kyler Gordon on Tuesday. Sheesh. Those are the kinds of words that make me feel like Gordon is on thin ice with the powers that be at Halas Hall. I don’t want to leap to conclusions and predict something outrageous like how this could be the end of the line for Gordon in Chicago. But what the Bears’ head coach and GM had to say today did make me look at the player’s contract situation via OverTheCap.
This is worth knowing:
Cutting Kyler Gordon in 2026 is a non-starter. Doing so would cause the Bears to lose $14.59 million in cap space and incur a dead money hit of $27.5 million. Parting ways in 2027 is a little more feasible, but only if it is a post-June 1 cut. A post-June 1 cut designation for Gordon in 2026 would save the Bears $800,000 in cap space (but would come with a $12.5 million dead money charge). It would be nice if Gordon could get it together for the next two seasons. If he can, then a cut (which would create $10.8 million in cap space with just a $2.5 million dead money hit) would be far more reasonable in 2028. Kyler Gordon celebrates a defensive stop against the Vikings at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn ImagesIf Not Kyler Gordon, Who Can Play the Slot Cornerback Role?
That there isn’t a more concrete timetable for Kyler Gordon’s return is sticking with me from the Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson joint press conferences. Starting training camp on the PUP list is one thing. But the general manager and head coach not sharing a potential return date is concerning. And while I do not want to come off as alarmist, everything said on Tuesday makes me wonder if Gordon will be ready to roll in 47 days when the Bears kick off against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1.
The latest injury update regarding Chicago Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon has us looking at possible replacement options. If Gordon can’t give it a go in Week 1, the following Bears cornerbacks have experience operating in the slot:
Josh Blackwell: 219 snaps as a slot CB since 2022. Jaylon Johnson: 98 snaps as a slot CB since 2020. Jaylon Jones: 83 snaps as a slot CB since 2022. Tyrique Stevenson: 63 snaps as a slot CB since 2023. Jaylon Johnson: 22 snaps as a slot CB since 2020. Terell Smith: 11 snaps as a slot CB since 2023. Dallis Flowers: 4 snaps as a slot CB since 2022.All positional splits data via Pro Football Focus
At first blush, it looks like Josh Blackwell is primed to make the most of the opportunity that comes with Kyler Gordon being on the sideline. However, I can see the Bears going with a mix-and-match approach, which could allow Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen to use player positional versatility to his advantage.
Aug 10, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Bears CB Josh Blackwell wears a patch honoring the late owner Virginia McCaskey Halas at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesFor instance, safety Coby Bryant has taken 865 snaps as a slot cornerback since the start of the 2022 season. Most of them (677, to be precise) came during his rookie year in 2022. And while those snaps came while with the Seattle Seahawks, his history playing that position means the Bears could lean on him in a pinch. Fellow free agent addition Cam Lewis also has extensive experience in the slot with 513 snaps played over the last four years — including 406 over the last two seasons.
BEARS TRAINING CAMP PREVIEWS: Cornerbacks | Safeties
Rookie safety Dillon Thieneman could also conceivably see some time in the slot. Chicago’s first-round pick played 118 snaps as a slot corner at Oregon in 2025 and had 102 plays at the position in 2024. Playing that position in the pros is a different beast, but Thieneman’s speed and athleticism could be useful out of the slot. Fellow rookie Malik Muhammad isn’t as experienced in slot play, having appeared in that position just 45 times during his collegiate career. At some point, the Bears might need to check free agency to see who is available in case this situation takes a turn for the worse.
BN BEARS TRAINING CAMP PREVIEW EPISODE: Apple | Spotify | YouTube
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