The Chicago Bears have several candidates who will need an impactful 2026 season to secure their status with the team moving forward. Find out which member of the secondary is on thin ice.
Ben Johnson doesn't hesitate to speak his mind when he is in front of reporters.
The Chicago Bears' coach is 100% himself, which is refreshing from how the previous people in the same position went about their business when pressed with questions.
Johnson was asked on June 3 about the importance of having defensive back Kyler Gordon on the field in the offseason. The Bears' coach just spoke his mind.
“We spoke last year and neither one of us were really happy with how it went just from a perspective of being available to get to know each other," Johnson said. "I think he only played in three games when I look back at it. So this spring was going to be a springboard for us to get going the right direction and we're still working through that. We're still trying to get that availability piece going. We know he is a good player when he is out there, but trust level's a huge thing for this team, for this coaching staff, for the locker room. You can only develop that trust by being available.”
For those that want to watch Johnson's press conference, check it out here.
This is the topic for today's Bears mailbag topic.
Who do you believe is on thinner ice than we realize? -- @JF58_
If it wasn't obvious, I'm going with Gordon.
The way Johnson recently talked about him and said, "we know he is a good player when he is out there," and followed that up by mentioning trust being "a huge thing for this team," speaks volumes.
What makes the situation worse is that Gordon missed most of the offseason workout program because of a soft-tissue injury. The veteran nickelback has been at Halas Hall, but not as a full participant.
The 26-year-old played in just five games last season, including the playoffs, so there hasn't been much time for the versatile defensive back to establish any type of chemistry with his coaches or teammates.
In late October, the Bears signed C.J. Gardner-Johnson to serve as the team's nickel corner while Gordon dealt with his injuries. Gardner-Johnson signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills this offseason.
The Bears have cross-training fourth-round draft pick Malik Muhammad at nickel and outside, which makes sense considering Gordon's recent injuries.
There is no question Gordon is talented and easily makes the defense better when he is on the field, but if he can't consistently stay healthy, this could be a situation that creates a rift between the player and coaching staff.
The best way for Gordon to resolve any trust issues is to return to Halas Hall healthy and ready to compete in training camp. If Gordon can do that, then his play will speak for itself.
Gordon has embraced the nickname Spider-Man, and for the Marvel fans out there, everyone should know the phrase, "with great power comes great responsibility."
Well, here is another commonly used phrase that Gordon needs to embody this upcoming season to ensure he becomes a foundational piece on Johnson's roster: "availability is the best ability."
