ESPN recently named five Chicago Bears players that have the most at stake for the 2026 season. They present the list in no certain order, but I think most Bears fans would agree that some of these players have more to lost than others. Of all the players on the list, only one of them is on the offense. In this series, I intend to go through each player listed, and break down exactly what it is they have to lose and where they stand.
We're starting with Kyler Gordon. The 26 year old cornerback was a second round pick in 2022, and he was an immediate rising star on the defense. But in four seasons with the Bears, he hasn't had an entire season without missing time.
Despite this, prior to the 2025 season, Gordon and the Bears signed a three year, $40 million contract, $31.2 of which is guaranteed. To follow that, Gordon only played in three games through the whole season.
Head coach Ben Johnson even commented recently on the fact that he and Kyler hardly knew one another. Johnson has been the head coach of the Bears for over a year. The fact that he can comment publicly that he hardly knows you isn't exactly a position I'd want to be in if I was Gordon.
This adds a whole layer of pressure onto Gordon's shoulders if he wishes to retain his starting spot. But if he can't hold it, then the Bears are paying premium rates for a player that isn't producing. Missing spring training time isn't a great sign for a player that's already on the hot seat.
ESPN is very right to list Gordon here. The head coach is essentially counting him out! If Gordon doesn't have a stellar training camp, or if he misses more time due to soft tissue injury, I fear his starting time in Chicago may be behind him. Coach Johnson has repeatedly mentioned trust as a key factor to who gets starting time, and with Gordon, there simply isn't any.
Kyler Gordon has already proven he can play at a high level when he's on the field. Now he has to prove he can stay there, because talent alone won't earn Ben Johnson's trust.
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