Kyler Gordon starting on the PUP list puts heat on Ryan Poles

On the eve of the training camp, the Chicago Bears received some bad news involving one of their starting player. Nickelback Kylder Gordon is on the PUP list, along with left tackle Ozzy Trapilo, defensive end Shemar Turner, and linebackers Noah Sewell and Keyshaun Elliott.

He has never completed a full regular season without missing at least two games in his first four seasons. As a rookie in 2022, he missed 3 games. He missed 4 games with hand injuries in 2023 and 2 games in 2024 with a hamstring injury. Last year, he missed a total of 14 games with multiple soft-tissue injuries.

When Gordon is on the field, he flashes physicality, instincts, versatility, and the ability to play both inside and outside. He’s a tone‑setter in the slot, a willing tackler, and can be used as a blitzer. And while Gordon has been legitimately productive when healthy, the pattern is becoming impossible to ignore.

The Bears need him. But they can’t count on him because of his health.

And that’s where the pressure begins to shift.

Kyler Gordon’s unavailability puts Ryan Poles in an awkward spot

In his first draft after being hired as the general manager, Ryan Poles drafted Kyler Gordon 39th overall in 2022. He also extended him last April. And now, with the Bears entering a season where expectations are high, Gordon’s injury puts Poles in a vulnerable position.

Every GM has players they stake their reputation on. Gordon is one of Poles’ guys. But with Gordon hurt again, Poles now finds himself in an awkward spot.

Even worse for Gordon, head coach Ben Johnson has he has a trust issue with Gordon back in June after he was not available for the OTAs. Gordon was drafted when Matt Eberflus was the head coach, not Johnson. With Johnson having more influence inside Halas Hall, Gordon is on thin ice more than ever. And Poles may face serious dilemma over his future with the Bears next off-season.

The Bears’ roster is built to win now. And the secondary has been one of Poles’ biggest investments. They have signed free agent safety Coby Bryant and drafted rookie Dillion Thieneman. If Gordon’s health fails him again, at least the Bears have rookie Malik Muhammed, Terell Smith, who missed all of last season with an injury, and free agent signee Cam Lewis ready.

When a GM’s hand‑picked players struggle to stay on the field, the criticism gets louder. Unfortunately, Gordon’s injury guarantees that Poles will hear plenty of it.

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