Eddie Jackson on Kyler Gordon: ‘He’s going to be special’

Chicago Bears safety Eddie Jackson knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a high-level playmaking defensive back. So when he spoke of rookie second-round pick, cornerback Kyler Gordon, the way he did Thursday after practice, the NFL better take notice.

“He’s just a freak athlete, man,” Jackson said from Halas Hall. “If you see him, like, some of the plays he makes, it’s not even his man. He’s coming off his man, making plays on the ball. So just seeing how very instinctive he is. He’s smart. He’s willing to learn. He talks less, he takes everything in.”

The Bears selected Gordon with the 39th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. It was a selection most draft experts predicted would be used on a wide receiver. General manager Ryan Poles opted for a guy who can stop them, instead.

Jackson believes Kyler Gordon is already showcasing the traits found in special players.

“When you have a guy like that, you know he’s going to be special,” Jackson said.

Gordon will play the nickel cornerback position for the Bears — at least, initially. It’s one of the three most critical positions in Matt Eberflus’ defense, which speaks volumes about what the Bears think of the first-year defender.

“He’s a heck of an athlete,” Eberflus said of Gordon on Wednesday. “He’s uber-smart. I mean, he’s so smart. And he’s able to move in and out. He can play any position. I think the guy could play three positions if we let him —but we ’re not going to do that.”