Chicago Bears fans can breathe a sigh of relief after seeing Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon on the field during first day of OTAs
The Chicago Bears had its first day of organized team activities on Wednesday and it appears cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon were out on the field after all despite recent reports.
The Chicago Bears held its first day of organized team activities on Wednesday, without the media in attendance, forcing fans to rely on the team’s social media account to see the players back in action on Day 1.
On Thursday, reporters will be back at Halas Hall and we’re expected to hear from head coach Ben Johnson for the first time since rookie minicamp. While fans didn’t get to see/hear how things went on Wednesday just yet, we did get one positive development.
Going into camp, it was sounding like the Bears were expected to be without its top two cornerbacks in Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon. It was a welcomed surprise to see both players on the field with jerseys on in the background of this video posted by the social team.
Chicago Bears get good news with Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon on the field at OTAs
Last week, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reported that Johnson was absent from the team’s voluntary offseason program while also reporting that Gordon was dealing with another soft tissue injury. That report immediately sparked major concerns among the fanbase regarding the availability of either player for OTAs this week.
Johnson and Gordon missed a combined 24 games last season while being the team’s highest paid cornerbacks. It was an unfortunate situation and head coach Ben Johnson noted how he was looking forward to getting a fresh start with both players in 2026.
“It’s almost like we’re starting over completely again this spring in terms of relationship building and starting off on the right track,” Johnson said at the NFL owners meetings in late March. “But we’re a better team, we’re certainly a better defense, when those two guys are out there. There’s a reason why they’re paid the way they’re paid. We need them out there.”
Fortunately, both players appeared to be on the field with the rest of the team during the first day of OTAs on Wednesday. That’s major news for the entire team and lifts a major gloom cloud a lot of fans had going into OTAs.
Johnson’s presence is especially notable after skipping voluntary OTAs last offseason and not arriving until mandatory minicamp despite having a new coaching staff. And for Gordon, is great to hear he’s healthy enough to at least be on the field.
Once we hear from Johnson on Thursday, we should get a clearer picture about the status of both players going into the remaining practice sessions.