Bears CB Kyler Gordon Sidelined During OTAs

Gordon landed on injured reserve twice last year, and he made just five combined regular and postseason appearances as a result. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports the fifth-year cornerback was absent from the team at the onset of the Bears’ offseason program this spring. More notably, he adds Gordon has been sidelined during Chicago’s initial OTAs due to a “soft-tissue injury.”

Absences during voluntary workouts is of course not a serious concern in general with plenty of time remaining until training camp and the regular season. Still, a case such as Gordon’s makes any missed time a potential cause for concern. The 26-year-old was highly durable during his first three seasons in the NFL before an injury-marred campaign with Chicago’s new coaching staff in place.

Gordon is attached to the three-year, $40MM extension he signed last offseason. That deal made him the league’s highest-paid slot corner, a distinction which came as little surprise at the time. The 26-year-old has been a key figure in Chicago’s secondary when healthy, and expectations will be high upon returning to action. Strong play against the pass will be critical for defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and Co. in 2026 after the Bears added two new starting safeties this offseason. Gordon, along with perimeter corners Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson, is a returnee.

Gordon’s pact runs through 2028, and his $10MM base salary for next year has already vested. A strong run over at least the next two seasons will be critical as a result, and a clean bill of health would represent a welcomed starting point. It will be interesting to see if he manages to return to full strength by the start of training camp or if a new round of injury concerns will linger during the build-up to the 2026 campaign.