4 things we heard from the Chicago Bears, including Cole Kmet finally making his 1st catches and Kyler Gordon’s mental load

Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus and players met with reporters Monday after going over film of the 23-20 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday at Soldier Field.

Here are four things we learned as they turn the page to their Week 4 game against the New York Giants.

Kmet had gone nearly 10 quarters without a catch when he reeled in Justin Fields’ throw and rumbled a few more yards for a 24-yard gain late in the second quarter. Along with a 16-yard catch in the fourth quarter, Kmet finished with two catches for 40 yards on three targets, the other a poorly thrown interception by Fields.

For a player looking to break out in his third season, the catches were a long time coming. Kmet was targeted twice in the first two games and had a glaring drop against the Green Bay Packers.

“It obviously took way longer than I thought it would,” Kmet said. “That’s where we’re at. We’re going to keep working this thing in the pass game and keep moving along with it.”

While Fields admitted after the game how poorly he played while completing 8 of 17 passes for 106 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions, the Bears continue to spread around the accountability. Kmet said he needs to be better both as a skill player and as a pass protector.

He said the Bears rushing for 281 yards Sunday should set up more opportunities for the passing game to start clicking — but they have to take advantage when they come up.

“The defense, since I’ve been here, has been able to bail us out multiple times, and obviously Roquan (Smith finished) with a great play at the end with the interception to seal the game,” Kmet said. “But I want to be a part of the reason why we win. I don’t know if that sounds selfish, but I want the offense to be a reason why we win a game. That’s what we’re working toward.”

Eberflus mentioned Sunday night that he and other defensive coaches are working closely with Gordon as the rookie settles into playing both outside cornerback and nickel.

“Just to help, to be of service to him,” Eberflus said. “To make sure that he understands I know where he is, I know where he is going and to help him with the experiences. That’s all. Because I have a lot of experience coaching DBs. I’m just trying to help.”

Gordon again had good and bad in Sunday’s game, which Eberflus said gives him another round of learning experiences to build on.

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In the third quarter, Gordon charged forward on a third-and-1 blitz and batted down quarterback Davis Mills’ pass. But Gordon also gave up a couple of big plays, including losing wide receiver Chris Moore on a 52-yard catch in the first quarter that led to the Texans’ first touchdown.

“The breakdown on that was … we were playing single-high coverage. We have to do a better job of just staying on that guy,” Eberflus said. “That was his guy. He has to stay on him.”

Eberflus was asked whether the Bears would consider keeping Gordon at one position to lighten his mental load.

“You always have got to look at that, especially when you’re working with a rookie, a guy that’s been in there and it’s the first time,” Eberflus said. “But he’s shown that he can do it. His techniques are good. In terms of knowing his assignments are good, inside and outside, so we’re pleased with where he is relative to that.”

Eberflus’ designation likely means he coach doesn’t consider it a long-term injury, though he wouldn’t comment on whether injured reserve is an option.

There have been instances over the last two months in which a “day-to-day” injury has caused a player to miss a week or more, including rookie wide receiver Velus Jones Jr., who still is dealing with a hamstring injury from the beginning of August.

Eberflus also said Montgomery’s issue is with his ankle. The Bears originally called it knee and ankle injuries Sunday.

Wide receiver Byron Pringle also left Sunday’s game with a calf injury.

Jones, who was one of the top return options entering the season, was limited in practice last week as he continues to recover. It will be worth watching to see if he can return and make a difference on offense — and in the return game.

The Bears started with poor field position on several of their drives Sunday after the defense forced the Texans to punt.

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Dante Pettis had two punt returns for 1 yard and a fair catch at the 10-yard line. The Texans also downed a fourth-quarter punt at the 8.

“The one, Dante just lost that in the sun,” Eberflus said of one of the returns. “He just looked up and didn’t see it, ball bounced right to him, so that was a lost opportunity there.

“But it’s been solid. We’ve got to sustain our blocks a little bit better. We talked about that this morning. But we’ve got the athletes to do it.”