Bears defensive coordinator Alan Williams clarifies where Kyler Gordon will play

Chicago Bears second-round pick, Kyler Gordon, is a unique cornerback prospect. He projects as a player who can be as effective on the outside as he can as an inside corner, leaving many to wonder where the Bears planned on playing him in 2022. On Saturday, defensive coordinator Alan Williams answered that question.

‘‘We’re just going to let him do what he does and see how he shapes out, and then we’ll see how much he can do and how much we can push him,’’ Williams said. ‘‘As of right now, he’ll be an outside corner.’’

Keep note of that last part, “as of right now.” Obviously, the Bears’ usage of Gordon is subject to change depending on how he transitions to NFL play. If he’s initially overmatched by bigger-bodied outside receivers? His exceptional athleticism will allow him to shift inside where he could develop into one of the NFL’s top slot corners.

The bigger value, however, is on the outside. The Bears already have one of the NFC’s top young cornerbacks in Jaylon Johnson, and if Gordon emerges as another one, Chicago’s defense will have a lockdown secondary for years.

“I’m ready to put in more work,” Gordon said this week. “There’s more than just athletic ability at this point. I feel like now I’m just going to keep increasing my knowledge of the game in every way I can.”

Kyler Gordon’s experience outside will help his NFL transition

Gordon’s experience playing on the outside should help him right away. He logged 527 snaps as a wide corner in 2021 compared to just 144 in the slot, according to Pro Football Focus.

“He’s sticky in coverage,” Williams said of Gordon. “At the top of the route, he stays connected, and then he finishes plays, which is the most important thing that at the moment of truth, he makes a play. So there was a lot to like about the guy.”

There’s no ceiling on how good Gordon can be in Head Coach Matt Eberflus’ system, and Williams’ excitement for what the rookie will bring to the secondary was clear.

General Manager Ryan Poles has been criticized for applying what many believed was the wrong strategy in the second round. Choosing Gordon over a wide receiver was met with skepticism, but it’s obvious now that Gordon was the right choice. Chicago’s defense already has a different vibe, and it’s mainly because of the former Huskies star.

There’s a long way to go before Gordon can be crowned as a cornerstone player in the Bears’ rebuild, but he’s trending in the right direction.

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