Kyler Gordon On His Goal For The Chicago Bears This Season: ‘Beat All Our Rivals'

Forbes

19 hours ago

Kyler Gordon is one of the most underrated cornerbacks in the NFL.
He may not be considered a star, he may not be an All-Pro selection on an annual basis, but he has one important distinction -- highest-paid nickel cornerback in NFL history. The 25-year-old cornerback signed a three-year. $40 million contract extension in the offseason, making him the league's highest-paid nickel back in the NFL.
"I never even thought of any of that," says Gordon in a one-on-one interview when asked if he ever thought he'd become the highest-paid nickel back. "In my mind, every day was just work as hard as you can and be better than the next day. I never really thought about the outcome until it was really nearby like, 'Oh this is a real thing to happen.' I feel like that's my mindset still now. Just keep being better than the day before. Whatever's supposed to happen is supposed to happen."
The former second-round draft pick was actually the first player that general manager Ryan Poles selected and he has not disappointed. Gordon has started 34 of his 42 career games and based upon overall grade (76.0) from Pro Football Focus, ranked 20th among all cornerbacks last season.
Along with Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson, he rounds out a Bears defensive backfield that actually held opposing NFL offenses to the lowest passing touchdown total of any team in the league last season (20).
"Definitely experience," says Gordon on the biggest difference between him now compared to when he was a rookie. "Being able to open up and find different resources to help me actually learn the game, I feel like that was a big step in me taking the next step in my own game, was reaching out further to find places to help with that, whether that be coaches, watching film or other things that I do outside of the facility to help add to that as well.
"I think that's the biggest thing between rookie Kyler and now is that I feel like I have a bunch of resources to pull and get information to help me on," Gordon continues to say. "Whether it be my technique or understanding a concept, or getting to know the upcoming opponents that I'm facing."
While he may be unheralded, Gordon plays a key role on the defensive unit. He not only has to be versatile, as he's tasked to cover slot wide receivers and tight ends along with being asked to play multiple roles — such as blitzing -- he's also a leader on the field, constantly communicating with fellow teammates in the defensive backfield.
"The biggest challenge is being able to do everything in that position," says Gordon. "Not everyone can really play that position, because not everyone can really do everything that position requires, whether that be being a linebacker and being in the box and having a run fit, whether that be blitzing, whether that be being able to have to go play outside at corner, or even having to roll back in playing a safety type rule or position zone drop. While also kind of being a communicator for the defensive backs and the defense and setting up everybody. It's kind of like almost two things in there that makes it a very unique position that's not very common for a lot of people to do."
The addition of well-renowned defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will add a new wrinkle to the defense. Allen had stints in a multitude of roles as a defensive coach for the Saints before serving as their head coach for the past three seasons.
From 2020 through 2023, New Orleans ranked in the top nine in defense every single year in points allowed.
Allen is well-known for his aggressive defensive style and blitz schemes. He's also known for using his star players in a variety of roles, something he did with four-time All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu in New Orleans. Shortly after being introduced as the team's new defensive coordinator, Allen hinted at using Gordon in a versatile role, including at safety.
While Gordon missed OTAs due to a soft tissue injury, he says he would "love" to play that role that Allen proposed earlier this offseason.
"Definitely," says Gordon when asked if he would love to play that versatile role. "I would just love to add that to my game and be able to say I did that and play it and be able to go make plays in it. I want to be able to do everything. I think it's also a little bit of a challenge. It would be nice for me to not just be playing nickel and get to go play something else. It's also fun for me learning new parts of the game or actually getting to play a new part of the game. Definitely very excited."
Along with Allen, the Bears are welcoming offensive mastermind and former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their new head coach. Johnson led the Lions to a top five ranking in points scored in each of the past three seasons, including leading the league in the category during the 2024 season.
"Very aggressive, smart and calculated," Gordon describes his new head coach when asked to name his best traits.
Chicago will look to turn things around next season in one of the most competitive divisions in football. The NFC North had three teams go to the playoffs last season, including the 15-2 Detroit Lions and 14-3 Minnesota Vikings. The Lions and Vikings had two of the top three records in the NFL last year.
While it would appear the Bears have their work cut out for them, it's worth noting that despite being a 5-12 team, they played fairly well against their division rivals last season. Chicago defeated the Green Bay Packers in the season finale -- Jordan Love was injured early in the game -- and lost to them by only one point in their first meeting. They also lost to the Detroit Lions by just a field goal in their first meeting and lost to the Minnesota Vikings by three points in overtime.
Gordon mentions beating the Bears' rivals as one of his key team goals for the 2025 season.
"As a team this year, first and foremost, beat all our rivals, all of our conference rivals," says Gordon.
While the 25-year-old will be looking to lead the Bears to their first winning season since 2018 and their first playoff appearance since 2020, he does keep busy off of the field. The mellow, laid-back Gordon is obviously known for being nicknamed "Spider Man" due to growing up with a background in ballet and done.
However, he's showing off his fashion and style on social media as he continues to collaborate with various brands in Europe and the United States.
"Just follow my new YouTube page," says Gordon. "I've been posting a lot of stuff, just like blogs and things I've done all my life, especially my fashion career and that side of it. Doing a bunch of stuff, I was collaborating with a bunch of designer brands in Europe and over here. Just getting to bring that to the NFL carpet as well, but then just kind of showing that journey."