Injuries sidelined Kyler Gordon, yet his presence dramatically improved the Bears' defense, significantly lowering EPA per play.
It was an unforgiving season for the Chicago Bears, with key players suffering injuries.
It started in the secondary, with Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Johnson suffering ailments very early in the 2025 season.
Gordon had a hamstring injury pop up in the preseason, keeping him out of the first four games. Johnson suffered a groin injury in Week 2 that forced him to miss significant time.
Then, there was the season-ending injury to rookie Shemar Turner.
Gordon returned briefly in Week 6, but went back on the injured reserve with a calf injury ahead of the Week 8 contest with the Baltimore Ravens. He and Johnson returned in Week 13 for the Philadelphia Eagles game.
However, Gordon went back to the IR once again in Week 14, after suffering a groin injury in pregame warmups.
Rome Odunze suffered a foot injury around that same time, as the injuries kept piling up for Chicago.
Luckily, Odunze and Gordon were able to return for the playoffs. Still, Gordon played in only five games, including the playoffs, in 2025.
However, when Gordon was on the field, the Bears' defense benefited greatly.
With Gordon, the defense allowed an EPA (Expected Points Added) per play of -0.19, -0.12 on pass plays and -0.31 on running plays. While he was injured, the defense allowed an EPA per play of 0.02, 0.05 on pass plays and 0.03 on running plays.
It was a disappointing year for Gordon, as he finished with just 17 total tackles and two TFLs in the five games he played.
It's even worse, considering Gordon just signed a three-year, $40 million extension with the Bears in 2025. Luckily, there's still time for Gordon to prove he's worth that $40 million. He still has until 2029 before he will become an unrestricted free agent.
When healthy, it's clear that Gordon is a vital piece of the Chicago secondary. If he can get back to the form he had during his rookie season, watch out. Gordon had three interceptions, 71 total tackles, two TFLs, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble as a rookie.
With Gordon back, the Bears will have to decide on re-signing C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who played nickel corner while Gordon was injured.
Gardner-Johnson recorded two interceptions, 51 total tackles, five TFLs and three sacks in 10 games with the Bears in 2025.
Hopefully, we'll see a much healthier Kyler Gordon in 2026.