Fresh off of his new contract extension, the vibes are high around cornerback Kyler Gordon, and with his new deal may come new responsibilities.
Gordon's three-year extension locks him and fellow cornerback superstar Jaylon Johnson as the leaders of the Bears secondary for the foreseeable future, and that means new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will have his hands full with work for them, especially Gordon.
Allen, who most recently served as the defensive coordinator and head coach for the New Orleans Saints, said he's already talking to Gordon about playing a bigger role. That role, Allen said, would see Gordon taking on a second position, whether that be outside cornerback or the safety position.
"He's played more outside corner, so obviously that would be the comfort level, but some of the things that I've seen him do, and the way that he fits in the run game tells me he's a good fit at safety," Allen said. "We've had guys that have had flexibility to play a lot of different positions. I think that's important in today's football, where you're not just locked into one thing, being able to play multiple, and do a lot of different things. As we get to know him better, spend more time with him, start to get out on the field with him a bit more, we'll have a better feel for where that second position might be and where we want to try and work him."
Gordon received a big pay day after establishing himself as one of the best slot cornerbacks in the league, and Gordon himself said the work isn't done. More money could lead to more opportunities and responsibilities for the fourth-year cornerback, who is now a cornerstone in Allen's defense.
