The good news for the Chicago Bears was that they got defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo and linebacker T.J. Edwards back on the practice field for their final day of organized team activities that were open to the media.
The rub is that they were without Kyler Gordon and Montez Sweat, among others, with one more session to go in their second group of OTAs.
Veteran minicamp begins next week, and Gordon and Sweat are squarely in the spotlight.
Bears OTAs Set Ominous Precedent for Kyler Gordon, Montez Sweat
Ben Johnson Gets Honest About Bears’ Concerns With Kyler Gordon
During his media availability on Wednesday, Bears head coach Ben Johnson spoke candidly about Gordon’s injury issues hindering both sides. Johnson asserted that the Bears know Gordon is a good player.
Johnson also alluded to Gordon’s talent only being an asset when the corner is on the field.
The 2022 second-round pick appeared in three games last season while dealing with soft-tissue injuries that began during the offseason program.
Gordon did play in both of the Bears’ postseason games, but he has missed at least two games in each season of his career so far. Gordon’s most significant injury and subsequent absence happened to come after the Bears signed him to a three-year, $40 million extension.
His injury woes also continue as the Bears have banked on his return to form.
Their pass defense ranked 22nd. But the only cornerback of note that the Bears added this offseason is rookie fourth-round pick Malik Muhammad.
In addition to Gordon, the Bears are counting on two-time Pro Bowler Jaylon Johnson, who also battled injuries last season, as well as Tyrique Stevenson, a former starter who was relegated to a reserve role.
The Bears could once again lean on three safeties.
They boast a retooled group that features newcomer Coby Bryant, fellow free agent signing Cam Lewis, rookie first-round pick Dillon Thieneman, and incumbent reserve Elijah Hicks.
Notably, Lewis exited the practice field with trainers during the Bears’ first set of OTAs. Not having a starter like Gordon or a player like Lewis, whose role is to be determined, would put an early strain on the Bears’ secondary.
Montez Sweat Key to Bears’ Plan
The Bears believe Sweat and their defensive line can help their secondary more after a moribund 2026 season, in which they finished 27th against the run, tied for the fifth-fewest sacks, and had the 11th-worst pressure rate, per Pro Football Reference.
Johnson included Sweat in comments about the team’s get-off at the line of scrimmage. The coach noted that they expect to see things slow down for the group in Year 2 under Dennis Allen.
Sweat was notably at OTAs at this time last season, when the team was learning the scheme.
He did not attend the start of their mandatory minicamp. However, Sweat participated in training camp en route to a 10-sack season, the second double-digit-sack performance of his career. His first came in 2023, when the Bears acquired him in a trade with the Washington Commanders.
Sweat, who is signed through 2027 on a four-year $98 million deal, had 12.5 sacks that season. He recorded 6.0 of those sacks in a Bears uniform. There is far less reason to be concerned about Sweat’s absence than Gordon’s.
Neither absence is ideal as the Bears look to build momentum for the 2026 season.
