Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles and coach Ben Johnson expressed frustration over Kyler Gordon's latest injury, emphasizing the need for the nickelback to become healthy and remain so. Gordon will start training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list due to a calf injury that also kept him out of OTAs and minicamp.

Poles noted Gordon experienced a "delay" in his recovery despite offseason training. "All hands on deck to get him back," Poles stated, acknowledging the team's frustration with Gordon's consistent availability issues. Gordon, who signed a three-year, $40 million extension in April 2025, becoming the NFL's highest-paid nickel cornerback, has a history of injuries since then, including missing most of training camp in 2025 and limited games last season.

Poles highlighted the need for Gordon to regain trust and dependability upon his return. The Bears signed C.J. Gardner-Johnson in 2025 to fill the void, but he has since departed. Current depth at nickel includes Josh Blackwell and rookie Malik Muhammad. Poles confirmed that a training plan devised for Gordon "hasn't stuck," and the focus is on him getting right and staying on the field. Gordon was Poles' first draft pick in 2022.