The Chicago Bears wrapped their 2022 season, where they finished 3-14 and lost their final 10 games of the year. But the future is bright heading into this 2023 offseason, as GM Ryan Poles has the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, a boatload of salary cap space ($118 million) and a franchise quarterback in Justin Fields.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be counting down our 15 Most Impactful Bears for the 2022 season. We’ll recap their 2022 season and look ahead to how they factor into 2023.
At No. 14 is cornerback Kyler Gordon, who was picked on repeatedly by opposing quarterbacks to start his rookie season, but responded with excellent performances to end the year.
Background
Position: Cornerback
Age: 23
Experience: Rookie
2022 cap hit: $1.58 million
2022 stats
- 71 combined tackles (2 for loss)
- 3 interceptions
- 6 passes defensed
- 1 forced fumble
- 1 fumble recovered
2022 recap
Gordon was the top pick for the Bears in the 2022 NFL Draft and was thrown into the fire immediately as the team’s starting nickel corner. He was picked on constantly by opposing quarterbacks, notably in Week 2 against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers where he allowed 10 catches on 13 targets for 163 yards and two touchdowns, according to Pro Football Focus.
But as the season progressed, so did Gordon. He found his footing in the secondary and played opponents tougher. His three interceptions all came in his last eight games, including two in a row against Pro Bowl quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen. Gordon was reading plays more effectively as the year wore on and showed he was worthy of being picked so high in the draft.
2023 outlook
Gordon and veteran Jaylon Johnson will once again be counted on to anchor the Bears cornerback position in 2023. The question is, where will Gordon line up? For most of his rookie season, the former Washington standout played nickel corner. He was asked to move outside at times due to injuries, but he got more and more comfortable playing inside. Will the Bears look to move him back outside like they originally planned when he was drafted?
Either way, the expectations for Gordon will be that he plays to the level we saw over the second half of the season and not the first half. Hopefully with an improved defensive line and pass rush, his job will be easier than it was this season.
15 Most Impactful Bears of 2022
We’re counting down our 15 Most Impactful Bears of 2022. Check back every day.
| 15. LT Braxton Jones | 14. CB Kyler Gordon | 13. COMING 1/18 |
| 12. COMING 1/19 | 11. COMING 1/20 | 10. COMING 1/21 |
| 9. COMING 1/22 | 8. COMING 1/23 | 7. COMING 1/24 |
| 6. COMING 1/25 | 5. COMING 1/26 | 4. COMING 1/27 |
| 3. COMING 1/28 | 2. COMING 1/29 | 1. COMING 1/30 |
