{"id":143156,"date":"2023-07-30T16:30:27","date_gmt":"2023-07-30T20:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=143156"},"modified":"2023-07-30T17:18:42","modified_gmt":"2023-07-30T21:18:42","slug":"bears-gordon-spiderman-eberflus-carlson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/07\/30\/bears-gordon-spiderman-eberflus-carlson\/","title":{"rendered":"Bears’ Kyler Gordon Sheds Light on Web-Slinging Nickname"},"content":{"rendered":"

Around Halas Hall, Chicago Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon<\/a> earned the nickname \u201cKyler-Man\u201d<\/a>. It is an homage to your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man and in honor of Gordon\u2019s playmaking skills.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like it\u2019s similar to how I play,\u201d Gordon said after Saturday\u2019s practice. \u201cAggressive. I just like using my instincts, my abilities, and stuff like that. Especially in the nickel position where I\u2019m at, as far as reading run, pass. Just trying to find a way to the ball and being around the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kyler Gordon Brings ‘Spidey Senses’ to Bears’ Defense<\/h2>\n

Gordon, 23, was the second of two second-round picks by the Bears in the 2022 NFL Draft \u2013 along with safety Jaquan Brisker<\/a> \u2013 taken No. 39 overall out of the University of Washington. He finished second on the team with three interceptions which were tied for the fourth-most among all rookies last season, per Stathead<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He also added one forced fumble and one recovery on top of six pass deflections.<\/p>\n

Gordon was picked on by opposing quarterbacks, as most rookies are. He led the Bears with 82 targets on the season, and he allowed a 76.8% completion rate.<\/p>\n

But Gordon was one of 18 defenders<\/a> to make at least 70 stops while still boasting a missed tackle rate (2.7%) below 3.0% last season. Only seven of them played in the secondary. And just two besides Gordon played primarily at cornerback or in the slot<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Bears’ Kyler Gordon Turning Aggression Into Plays<\/h3>\n

Gordon\u2019s aggression got the best of him at times last season, leading to the second-most penalties<\/a> on the team behind left tackle Braxton Jones<\/a>. Defensive coordinator Alan Williams<\/a> noted that Gordon is playing off instinct rather than thinking, though, which should mean we can expect those things to trend in a positive direction this coming season.<\/p>\n

They are letting him focus on being inside this offseason which he accepts for the greater good.<\/p>\n

But that is significant because he was only switched there during training camp last year leaving him to learn a lot in a short time.<\/p>\n

His instincts, or Kyler Senses as it were, should be even sharper with the benefit of muscle and actual memory through the reps he got last season. A baptism by fire can quickly show if a player isn\u2019t cut out for the spotlight.<\/p>\n

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Just your friendly neighborhood Kyler-Man #Bears<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/d4wZNM7TsS<\/a><\/p>\n

— Josh Buckhalter (@JoshGBuck) July 29, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n