Gordon Gets to Grow, Time to Preach Patience, Sanborn on Deck, and Other Bears Bullets

The conflicting reports about Taylor Swift performing at the Super Bowl’s halftime show have me in a glass case of emotion. Part of it has to do with my coming to grips that I am finally aging into the NFL’s target audience when it comes to halftime artists. It’s finally my time to shine. After waiting my turn, I’m ready to see all my faves on the biggest stage during the NFL’s biggest games.

  • I can’t front: Yours truly is worried about Kyler Gordon. However, I feel a little better after reading this from NBC Sports Chicago’s Josh Schrock:
  • The extent of my concern is this: I worry there has been too much put on Gordon’s plate too soon. There isn’t much doubt in Gordon’s athleticism, ability, or confidence to play the position at a high level. To be a good cornerback in the league, you need equal parts swag and skill. But Gordon has been tasked to play outside and in the slot. And while he’s been at it since training camp, I grapple with wondering if the Bears were better off trying to let him excel at one position rather than double-dipping. Playing cornerback is hard. Being good at both boundary corner and in the nickel is rare. Gordon has skills. It just feels like we might be asking for too much too early.
  • But let’s loop back to Schrock’s story for NBCS Chicago. Because perspective is important! Gordon is going through the regular trials all cornerbacks go through as rookies. Some have steeper learning curves than others. If you’ve been rocking with us long enough (and if you have, thank you! you know I appreciate you!) here at BN Bears, then you’ll remember how opposing quarterbacks were picking on Jaylon Johnson as a rookie. And how did Johnson respond? Quite strongly. That didn’t stop teams from throwing in his direction, but his fearless attitude and willingness to spar with the big dawgs made for compelling battles and served as a place for his growth to take root. Now, no one throws in Johnson’s direction. In other words, if Gordon needs inspiration or a path to follow, just follow your teammate wearing No. 33.
  • Gordon getting that trial-by-fire treatment is among the reasons I was hoping for Johnson to move into a leadership role this year. A three-year starter at a key position with voice in the locker room could be a valuable ally to a first-year head coach whose expertise is on the defensive side of the ball. Getting the buy-in from someone like Johnson should have a positive trickle-down effect throughout the rest of the roster. And after the Bears used their first two picks on defensive backs, having someone for Gordon and Jaquan Brisker to lean on for guidance could be key. Because if all goes well, they’ll be leaders in due time.
  • It’s also why it was important for Eddie Jackson to be seen as a leader early in the Matt Eberflus regime. Jackson is someone who was here for the heights of the last competitive Bears window and was a star during that stretch. That is the type of player young guys will look up to and follow because they want to get at that level and play in those high-profile games. When your best players are also your leaders, good things tend to happen. A win against the Texans won’t fix everything, but it could help the Bears get back on the right track.
  • It’s good to remember that patience is a virtue:
  • Yeah, I know. It’s a cliché. But clichés become clichés because there is a hint of truth in them. We should probably keep the article above in mind as we navigate through Justin Fields’ second season as a pro.
  • A very smooth transition into Jacob Infante (Windy City Gridiron) offering a Week 4 college football preview in which he also highlights some prospects who might be worth keeping an eye on. I’m not on full-on prospect watch just yet, but I’m always looking for a prospect to dream on. And if you see one, don’t be afraid to tag us on Twitter at @BN_Bears.
  • Dominique Robinson was nowhere on our prospect radar this time last year. And now, he’s picking up pressures at a rapid rate and popping up on lists with a bunch of first-round picks:
  • Fearless prediction alert — I think we’re about to see another rookie make their Bears debut with linebacker Matt Adams out with a hamstring injury. Remember training camp and preseason standout Jack Sanborn? It sure sounds like he is on deck:
  • A by the numbers look at tomorrow’s Bears-Texans game:
  • As someone whose name is often mispronounced, I find this to be worth sharing:
  • “Kuh-lill.” Not “Kah-LEEL.” I can do it. You can do it. We can do it together!
  • Love seeing the Bears welcoming in folks from the community:
  • Yes, I realize I shared this the other day. But it is worth re-sharing:
  • A football legend is celebrating a birthday today:
  • While you were sleeping: Albert Pujols hit a pair of home runs last night in Los Angeles:
  • This situation has the potential to get worse before it gets better:
  • written by

    Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

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