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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