Cubs News: Gordon says defense is “intimidating,” full of energy in minicamp |
CHICAGO - The Chicago Bears have a young secondary with cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Tyrique Stevenson, all 25 years old or younger. That young aspect of the team has shown in organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamps with all of the energy they have demonstrated.
“It’s intimidating for other people, people constantly getting hit, constantly running to the ball, all 11 hats loud, communicating loud … I love it,” Gordon said. “Everyone (says) something every day. Someone got some type of energy everywhere. So, I like it. It’s the type of system I want to be in.” Gordon has put up solid numbers in both of his first two seasons, with three interceptions in his rookie season and two interceptions last year. In both years, he defended six passes. Last season, Gordon also recorded his first sack. While iron sharpens iron, the Bears lacked iron to help improve Gordon in the receiving core in 2022, and DJ Moore was the undisputed number-one receiver in 2023. Now, Gordon has more elite receivers to go against, including veteran Keenan Allen, who is going into his twelfth season. “For me with (Allen), already so far, I feel like for him, he’s going to keep me disciplined and stuff like that. So, he’s a quick twitch dude as well, got a really good release and get off and stuff like that. So for me, staying disciplined the whole entire time,” Gordon said. “Another thing for him, he’s very efficient with the steps that he takes, doing what he does. So, that makes me have to be even more efficient with my steps and not take as many or just be smooth or come out the break right, read it right versus the stem, or whatever it might be. So, I’m excited to keep battling him and getting better with him.” The Bears' other receiver addition is Rome Odunze, whom they drafted with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Odunze and Gordon both played for the University of Washington in college and spent two years together there. Gordon saw Odunze develop his craft in college and become the receiver he is today. “I love Rome. I played two years with him. (I’ve) seen him do amazing things. Young and (growing) and he’s progressing so much and stuff,” Gordon said. “I remember his freshman year … Odell, back of the end zone, just one hand. Freshman we never (saw). He’s long, lanky, got some speed in him and so, from then, I’m like, ‘He’s going to be one of our guys here ….’ He’s just growing so much.” The other rookie stepping into a big role in the offense is quarterback Caleb Williams whom Chicago selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. While Gordon never got the chance to play against Williams as he was with Oklahoma during Gordon’s final year of college, during OTAs and minicamps, Williams’ talent has been on display. “I like him a lot. I think his arm talent shows immediately. He’s very poised,” Gordon said. “He’s just learning every single day, just chipping away and slowly getting better and we know we’re all surrounding him. (He’s) young and stuff like that. But, he holds himself nice and excited to see him play.” During this time last season, the secondary was bringing along rookie corner Tyrique Stevenson. Stevenson played in 16 of Chicago’s 17 games last season, playing 82 percent of the defensive snaps in those games. He had a strong rookie campaign, leading all rookies in interceptions with four. Stevenson also defended 16 passes, tied for fifth in the league, and forced two fumbles. “I feel like that’s one thing from the beginning that (Stevenson has) just gotten smarter and more comfortable, and the more comfortable he got, the more plays he’s made, and that happens,” Gordon said. “Being (a) rookie, just get your feet established and stuff like that. So, Tyrique (is) a confident dude and he (is) feeling himself. So, he (is) going to make his plays and get better and better.”
