The Chicago Bears no longer control their own destiny in the NFC North. That loss to the Green Bay Packers was painful, and it might come back to bite the team down the stretch. Notably, it could've been avoided with Kyler Gordon on the field.
As pointed out by former NFL player Clay Harbor on X, Jordan Love was 7-for-7 for 150 yards and three touchdowns when he targeted receivers in the slot. That would've probably been different with Gordon out there.
Gordon has only been able to suit up for three games this season. He's posted a 59.2 Pro Football Grade, so he has clearly yet to get his legs back under him. However, as bad as things have been, the Bears can't afford not to have him on the field.
The Bears Must be Patient With Kyler Gordon
Gordon couldn't suit up on Sunday because of a groin injury. He reportedly suffered the injury roughly 90 minutes before kickoff, and now it sounds like Ben Johnson is seriously considering moving on from him:
“It’s disappointing. I wish I had a better feel for the individual. But with him being out as much as he has been, I haven’t really gotten to see him on the field and competing and get to know him like I’d like to at this point yet," Johnson said, per Dan Wiederer of The Athletic.
Giving up on such a talented player would be a huge mistake. Injuries happen, and while this clearly isn't ideal, he's still signed through the 2028 season at a very reasonable price. He's making roughly $13.3 million a year, which is a bargain for a guy who can legitimately shut down stars in the slot. Even a proven veteran with a Super Bowl pedigree like C.J. Gardner-Johnson struggled mightily to hold his own in the slot against the Packers.
Defensive backs coach Al Harris helped Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland have the best seasons of their careers in Dallas, and he's now helped Kevin Byard III lead the league in picks, all while Nashon Wright and Tremaine Edmunds rank 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Gordon might not be a ball-hawk, as he only has five career picks in four years, but Harris could certainly work wonders with him as well.
The Bears will still most likely make the playoffs, and they need to make sure to have Gordon on the field. They need to err on the side of caution with him and give him as much time as he needs to heal. As frustrating as this may have been, he just needs a strong game