New Bears GM Ryan Poles is an offensive lineman at heart. His head coach, Matt Eberflus, is a defensive-leaning mind.
When it came to the new regime’s first ever draft pick, it’s the defense winning out with Washington cornerback Kyler Gordon getting the call:
🔒 it down.
Welcome to Chicago, @kyler_gordon! pic.twitter.com/D7u3GZszGg
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 29, 2022
Gordon has been on our radar for a few weeks now. There has been a recent consensus growing around the Bears drafting a cornerback with one of their two Round 2 picks, and there was ample buzz connecting Chicago and Gordon.
Here’s what we had to say about the possibility of the Bears making Gordon their guy:
In short, the Bears grabbing Gordon with either of their second-round picks would satisfy desires to snag a first-round caliber prospect with a second-round pick. Gordon earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors for his efforts in 2021 and was all-conference honorable mention in the two seasons prior. So the Bears could be adding a quality player with a unique prospect pedigree. All while upgrading the secondary in a big way. This would be a major coup for first-year GM Ryan Poles. Even if it still leaves holes to fill on the offensive side of the ball. But, hey, the Bears still have five other picks to play with, so let’s not lose sight of that.
So, I get it. I can see the value in adding a good cornerback to this roster. Especially after watching how the cornerbacks (aside from Jaylon Johnson) performed in 2021, and after watching the Lions and Packers draft stud prospect receivers. Countering that move with a high-profile cornerback makes sense.
This makes sense, even if there is some disappointment in not getting receiver or offensive line help. But the Bears still have a pick coming in this round. And another in the third. Perhaps more after that? We’ll see…
More on Gordon in the days ahead, of course.