Tag: Kyler Gordon

Rookies have been stealing the show at Bears training camp

The Bears have one week of training camp in the books, and it’s been the rookies who have made strong impressions.

The Bears have wrapped their first week of training camp, and it’s been the rookies who have been making strong impressions through the first four practices.

Chicago’s top rookies cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker were among the standouts, where they’re establishing themselves as turnover machines. Both Gordon and Brisker have come away with interceptions of quarterback Justin Fields, where their impressive skillsets are on display.

“Ball hawks; that’s what they are, that’s why we brought them here,” said head coach Matt Eberflus. “A person doesn’t change from college. If they have ball skills in college, they still have it. We enhance them by being fanatical and us practicing the way we practice and the drills we do that we’ve done forever and the new ones that we’re incorporating now. We’ll enhance that skill. But it’s got to be a want-to.”

Both Gordon and Brisker, who are expected to start immediately as rookies, could be a problem for opposing offenses. Brisker will be the starting strong safety opposite Eddie Jackson while Gordon has been getting looks both outside and at nickel cornerback.

Then there’s wide receiver Velus Jones Jr., whose blazing speed and playmaking ability has been obvious. On Saturday, Jones was one of the few positives for the offense. He hauled in two deep balls from Fields, including an over-the-shoulder catch from Fields going against Gordon. He’s getting looks at multiple positions at receiver, with the goal being to get him as many opportunities as they can.

“They’re moving me from Z, F, X,” Jones said. “They want me to know everything, so it’s been really fun getting to work with my QBs and stuff like that. But they know my abilities. They know the reason why they drafted me. I am really good with the ball in my hands. Wherever they need me to be, I’m just going to be there and execute.”

The Bears haven’t been afraid to give all of their rookies some valuable reps, and that was especially true along the offensive line last week. All four rookie offensive linemen were starting at one point during Friday’s practice — due to Lucas Patrick’s injury and Cody Whitehair’s veteran rest day.

But from everything we’ve seen dating back to the spring, Chicago feels comfortable putting these rookies in this position. Braxton Jones is competing for a starting tackle job, Zachary Thomas has been a solid No. 2 behind Whitehair, Doug Kramer has been seeing plenty of reps at center with Patrick sidelined and Ja’Tyre Carter has recently seen an uptick in reps at right guard.

While the Bears might not have any rookies starting on the offensive line, they’re certainly getting their opportunities early in camp.

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7 Bears who impressed during the first week of training camp

The first week of Bears training camp is in the books. Here’s a look at the standouts from the first four practices of the summer.

The Chicago Bears have wrapped their first week of training camp. It included four practices, which included three in front of fans at Halas Hall. There were no shortage of storylines, including the rookies impressing and shifting along the offensive line.

While the Bears haven’t put on the pads yet — that comes next week — there were some standout performances during the first week of practices. Whether it’s veterans looking to break out or rookies looking to be immediate impact players, there were some encouraging performances on display.

Here’s a look at seven players who impressed during the first week of training camp practices:

10 takeaways from the Bears’ first week of training camp

The Bears wrapped their first week of training camp. Here’s what we learned from the first four practices.

The Chicago Bears have wrapped up their first week of training camp practice at Halas Hall, where they conducted four practices.

There was plenty to take in from the first week of practice, including the development of quarterback Justin Fields, the play of Chicago’s top rookies and how the offensive line is shaking out following Lucas Patrick’s injury and Teven Jenkins’ absence.

The Bears return to the practice field on Monday morning, which is expected to be the team’s first padded practice of the summer.

But before we look ahead to next week’s practice, here’s what we learned after Chicago’s first week of training camp:

WATCH: Bears rookie Jaquan Brisker makes highlight-reel interception

Bears rookie Jaquan Brisker showcased his instincts on this interception of Justin Fields during Friday’s training camp practice.

Bears rookie safety Jaquan Brisker has been making a name for himself as a ballhawk since arriving in Chicago. Now, fans are getting a glimpse of what the coaching staff saw all spring.

Brisker had an impressive interception off quarterback Justin Fields during Friday’s training camp practice. Brisker showed his instincts when he jumped a route and picked off the pass intended for tight end Cole Kmet. It’s the kind of play that had the potential to be a pick-6 in live action.

“I’m trying to show my disguise,” Brisker said. “Just coming down and Cole crossed my face so I just took my eyes to his hips and then once I (saw) him get ready to catch the ball I just jumped in front of it, you know, made sure I caught the ball and just took it upfield.”

Brisker had a little extra motivation after fellow second-round rookie cornerback Kyler Gordon picked off a Fields pass intended for wide receiver Darnell Mooney.

“Yeah, I pay attention,” Brisker said. “Once he got the first one I was like, ‘I got to get one now; I got to get one.’ So there’s definitely a competition between everybody in the room with the corners and safeties and linebackers. You know, I’m definitely trying to be the takeaway king.”

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Bears rookie Kyler Gordon embracing opportunity at nickel cornerback

Bears CB Kyler Gordon has been seeing reps at slot cornerback, which just so happens to be an important position in Matt Eberflus’ defense.

Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon is expected to make an immediate impact as a rookie. The only question is whether that’ll be on the outside or in the slot.

While Gordon started on the outside during the offseason program, he was approached by coaches during OTAs, who let him know he would be getting some work at nickel cornerback.

“I had the biggest smile on my face because I love nickel and I love what I can do there,” Gordon said, “so it’s just been really fun.”

Gordon has been rotating between outside and the nickel during the first practices of training camp. It’s nothing new for Gordon, who played the position in college at Washington.

“You just get to be more like the run game, just a different job,” Gordon said. “I feel like me at nickel, I’m just a twitchy dude, so I just like to react a bunch. I just enjoy it and (am) able to be in the run fit, too. Just a lot of different things I can do there and to really show all of my abilities. I enjoy nickel.”

The nickel cornerback is one of the most important positions in Matt Eberflus’ defense, so it makes sense that the coaching staff is seeing what they’ve got in Gordon.

“It’s definitely like the quarterback of the defense,” Gordon said. “You’ve got to know the calls, be able to communicate, be loud, efficient, fast and smart and be able to react fast.”

When Gordon hasn’t been in the slot, it’s been newcomer Tavon Young getting reps at the nickel with Kindle Vildor working outside opposite Jaylon Johnson.

Whether the Bears see Gordon as a better fit in the slot than outside remains to be seen. But it’s definitely a storyline to watch this summer.

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12 takeaways from first practice at Bears training camp

The Bears held their first practice of training camp on Wednesday. Here’s what we learned from Day 1:

The Chicago Bears hit the practice field for the first time during training camp on Wednesday, which kicked off a new era of Bears football under a new regime.

It was a closed, ramp-up practice for the team. But there was plenty of action at Halas Hall, including the monitoring of some important position battles on offense and defense.

There was plenty to digest from practice and press conferences with head coach Matt Eberflus, defensive end Robert Quinn, receiver N’Keal Harry and offensive linemen Riley Reiff and Michael Scofield.

Following Wednesday’s practice, here’s a look at what we learned from the first day of Bears training camp:

Bears rookies, quarterbacks report to training camp today

Bears rookies and quarterbacks report to the team’s 2022 training camp at Halas Hall starting today.

It’s been a long summer, but the wait is finally over as the Chicago Bears gear up for the start of training camp.

Bears rookies and quarterbacks report to Halas Hall beginning Saturday, July 23. The rest of the team will report to the team’s Lake Forest facility on Tuesday, July 26.

Chicago will practice for the first time on Wednesday, July 27, which is closed to the public. The Bears’ first open practice will be on Thursday, where a free ticket is required for entry (See the full schedule here).

All eyes will be on second-year quarterback Justin Fields, who enters training camp as the undisputed starter. Unlike last summer, Fields will be getting all of the reps with the starters. The Bears are installing a new offense under Luke Getsy, one that caters to Fields’ skillset. But the quarterback room is going to look different following the departure of Andy Dalton and Nick Foles this offseason. Chicago signed Trevor Siemian and Nathan Peterman to serve as Fields’ reserves.

The Bears have an intriguing group of rookies this year, including several who are expected to be immediate contributors. That includes cornerback Kyler Gordon, safety Jaquan Brisker, wide receiver Velus Jones Jr., offensive tackle Braxton Jones and punter Trenton Gill. Unfortunately, Brisker isn’t expected to be among those reporting to Halas Hall as he’s in the middle of a contract holdout.

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Bears 2022 training camp preview: Cornerbacks

The Bears cornerback room was arguably the weakest position on the team in 2021. Now with new faces, they could be vastly improved in 2022.

Chicago Bears training camp is less than a month away, which means it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest.

The Bears cornerback room was arguably the weakest position group on the team in 2021. Aside from Jaylon Johnson, no other player was reliable and they were exposed often. It was a key focal point in free agency and the NFL Draft this offseason for general manager Ryan Poles. Now with new faces, the group could be vastly improved in 2022.

Here is our preview of the team’s cornerbacks.

30 Most Important Bears of 2022: No. 14 Kyler Gordon

Our 30 Most Important Bears of 2022 series continues with Kyler Gordon, who is expected to make an immediate impact as a rookie.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the 2022 NFL season, which features plenty of new and returning faces within the organization. There are a number of players, coaches and front office members that are crucial to the team’s success this season.

Every day from now until the start of training camp, we’re counting down our 30 most important Bears for the 2022 season. We’ll recap their 2021 season, look ahead to 2022 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.

Next up at No. 14 is rookie cornerback Kyler Gordon, who is expected to make an immediate impact for the Bears.

Bears secondary ranked among worst in NFL

Pro Football Focus ranked the Bears secondary 31st, which had to do with the youth and uncertainty of the group heading into 2022.

The Chicago Bears have undergone plenty of change this offseason, including learning a new defense under head coach Matt Eberflus. But there are some young, talented players on the roster that will factor into the success of this team moving forward.

Pro Football Focus ranked every NFL team’s secondary, and the Bears wasn’t the worst — but it was close to it. They ranked 31st, which had more to do with the youth and uncertainty of the group heading into 2022.

CB: Jaylon Johnson
CB: Kyler Gordon
NCB: Thomas Graham Jr.
S: Eddie Jackson
S: Jaquan Brisker

It’s worrisome that this Bears secondary lacks a single player who they can point to and say for certain he’ll be reliable. Eddie Jackson is supposed to be that guy — and is being paid as such — but even he has earned coverage grades of 56.9 and 55.8 the past two seasons.

While PFF pointed to youth and inexperience as a determining factor in their “too much uncertainty” ranking, Jaylon Johnson and Eddie Jackson have a combined seven years experience starting in the NFL. The Bears are expecting big things from rookies Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker, but they are rookies and have something to prove.

The one position that’s not certain right now is slot cornerback, where PFF currently projects Thomas Graham Jr. to start. Graham will battle experienced veteran Tavon Young for the job. If Young wins the job, it adds a little more experience to the secondary. If not, Chicago is looking at a young, inexperienced secondary heading into the 2022 season.

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