Bears coordinators Declan Doyle (offense), Dennis Allen (defense) and Richard Hightower (special teams) spoke to the media Thursday at Halas Hall. Here are six things we learned during those sessions:
(1) As soon as he studied film of nickel back Kyler Gordon, Allen knew that the fourth-year pro would be a perfect fit in the defense.
"He was a guy that when we first got in here and we watched tape," said the veteran defensive coordinator, "we clearly identified as a guy that fit our scheme, the things that we want to be able to do. We're excited about having him and look forward to getting started."
On Tuesday, Gordon signed a three-year contract extension that runs through the 2028 season. Since being selected by the Bears in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Washington, he has appeared in 42 games with 34 starts over three seasons, registering 207 tackles, five interceptions, 17 pass breakups, nine tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks, four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
Last season Gordon played in 15 games with 13 starts and established career highs with 75 tackles, four tackles-for-loss and three fumble recoveries.
"A lot of things that we look for in the nickel position, he has that skillset," Allen said. "He's got coverage skills. He's highly intelligent. One of the things that impressed me the most was how they played him last year. He lined up to the [wide side of the] field, but he got into the box a lot and fit in the running game. So I think he's got a really good understanding of how to fit there. Nickels are going to have to fit in the run game, and so that was one of the things that we thought was a pretty good fit for us."
Allen revealed that he's spoken to Gordon about practicing at a second position to get him on the field more in the base defense.
"Does he go outside and compete at outside corner? Does he compete some at safety?" Allen said. "I've told him that he needs to be learning both of those spots, and we'll figure out where that second position, where he can go in and compete and hopefully we'll find some more playing time for him.
"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 that he could be a fit at safety also."
(2) Allen knows exactly what qualities he wants to see in the Bears defense.
"Tough, nasty, hyper competitive, play with a swagger, play with a chip on their shoulder," he said. "That's kind of been the hallmark of the best defenses that I've been around. That's been a hallmark of a lot of great defenses that have been here in Chicago and so that's what we're looking for."
(3) Allen is excited about the addition of defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, a two-time Pro Bowler during 10 seasons with the Falcons.
Jarrett agreed to terms with the Bears March 10, hours after the 6-foot, 305-pounder had been released by Atlanta.
"Quickness, athleticism, those are things that he really has," Allen said. "He's not a real big guy, but he does a great job of playing with leverage, so rarely do you see him get backed off the line of scrimmage. There are some things that I think we can help him with from a fundamental technique standpoint to get him to even play stouter on the line of scrimmage."
Jarrett consistently demonstrates a high level of energy and effort on the field.
"Just put the tape on," Allen said. "This guy plays extremely hard. Rarely do you see him not running with great effort to the football. He plays the game with a relentless attitude. I think he's going to be great for our room."
The Bears view Jarrett as an ideal role model for young defensive linemen such as Gervon Dexter Sr., Austin Booker and Zacch Pickens.
"Grady's the ultimate professional," Allen said, "and I think with any young player, having somebody that you can watch—not necessarily how they play but how they conduct themselves on a daily basis and what it takes to be a pro in our league—that's important for a lot of young guys."
(4) Doyle lauded coach Ben Johnson for setting a high bar.
"Really from an organizational perspective, Ben has a very, very high standard every day," Doyle said. "Ben has an edge to him; he has a chip on his shoulder. He really holds everybody in the building to a very high standard at all times … Overall, he does an excellent job of [saying], 'Hey, it shouldn't be comfortable. It shouldn't feel like we're walking in here every day and we're just going step by step.' It's really like, 'Hey, we need to feel some pressure here to be able to learn it as quickly as we can, to be able to adapt.' Same thing from a coaching standpoint, and then the same thing from upstairs with the front office. He's doing a great job of really holding that standard for the whole organization."
Since the offseason program began April 7, Doyle has seen players buying into Johnson's message.
"I think they're very hungry for that coaching," Doyle said. "I think they're very excited about Ben. He walks into his first meeting, and he is impactful when he speaks. I think they are really excited for a little bit of a change, and they're excited to meet that challenge."
(5) Doyle has enjoyed working with second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.
"Caleb is hungry for growth," Doyle said. "The sky's the limit with his athletic ability, with his talent. But being around him, just the person himself, I think he really wants to do well. I think he wants to be great. It's really important to him. He's been very open to accepting feedback, accepting coaching and really starting to build that relationship where we're going to build this thing and really hit his ceiling."
(6) Hightower is impressed with Johnson and is grateful to be on his staff.
"Just his command in the room, his attention to detail, his passion for the game, his knowledge of all three phases of the game and how he wants to put it together, you can see why he was very successful in Detroit," Hightower said.
"We're all excited to be on his staff. You can ask any coach. This guy was the leading candidate to be a head coach for two or three years now. He could have had anybody he wanted on the staff. We all know that we're fortunate to be here and we're ready to go work for him."
