Bears<\/a>, who enter next week\u2019s draft with all 11 defensive starters \u2014 provided they continue to play nickel defense most of the time \u2014 in place.<\/p>\n\u201cI know Kyler is a guy that we want to be a part of this moving forward,\u201d Poles said at the NFL\u2019s annual meeting. \u201cSo the timing of that, I\u2019m not sure how that all is going work out, but that is a priority.\u201d<\/p>\n
Poles said he told players at their exit meetings in January that he would make contract extension decisions based in part on the input of the new coaches. New defensive coordinator Dennis Allen values Gordon as much as former head coach Matt Eberflus did.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a vision for how we can utilize him,\u201d Allen said in January. \u201cI think the foundation for what we want to do is there, and then I\u2019m just excited about finally getting these guys in here and us having the opportunity to work with him and see exactly what we have. And then we have to be creative with how we want to do things.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gordon was Poles\u2019 first-ever draft pick when he was chosen in the second round out of Washington in 2022. The Bears have been impressed by his development as a coverage player and a pass rusher. Now he\u2019ll join Jaylon Johnson as Bears cornerbacks with long-term deals.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe business of his contract aside, Kyler is a very versatile player,\u201d former defensive coordinator Eric Washington said in January. \u201cReally good in the slot. He\u2019s a good blitzer, really impactful blitzer. Really good at understanding some of our coverage concepts as an underneath defender. \u2026 He\u2019s a well-rounded player, young, very versatile player, and he still has a lot of room to grow.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n