As the Chicago Bears prepare for their follow-up to a 2025 NFC North division championship season, there's been one situation that's clearly grinding head coach Ben Johnson's gears. I'm talking, of course, about the status of nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon. After playing in just three games last year due to nagging soft-tissue injuries, Gordon showed up to this summer's Bears training camp and ... promptly got another soft-tissue injury. It'd be one thing if Gordon was a fringe-of-the-roster guy. The Bears wouldn't have to count on him. But he isn't. On an average annual basis, he is Chicago's eighth-highest-paid player. The Bears' defense, as constituted, hinges a lot on his versatility, athleticism, and physicality as a defensive back. Yet, it seems Gordon may struggle to stay on the field for the second straight season. The mere implication of Gordon's general unavailability (and perhaps an inability to take care of his body?) seems to greatly bother Johnson. On Tuesday, Johnson alluded to his frustration with Gordon as much by using four separate phrases to give no meaningful updates about Gordon's progress, or lack thereof, to return to the field. Yikes. That's never a good sign if you're the player in the dynamic:
Ben Johnson's updates on Bears nickel back Kyler Gordon (calf) today: "Yeah, there's nothing to add right now." "Yeah, I see him in the building." "There's a plan and he's working toward the plan." "He's rehabbing." — Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 18, 2026 Here's hoping Gordon finds a way back to the field very soon. I worry for Johnson's general nerves and sanity while monitoring one of the most important players on his roster, and for Gordon in trying to get back into his coach's good graces. If that's still even possible, of course. Who is Kyler Gordon's backup on the Bears' roster? For the time being, veteran Josh Blackwell is listed as Gordon's backup at nickel cornerback on the Bears' official depth chart. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Ben Johnson used 4 different phrases to provide the same non-update on Kyler Gordon