Why did Jaylon Johnson practice with the 2nd unit? 4 things we heard from Chicago Bears defensive assistants.

The Chicago Bears continue organized team activities next week at Halas Hall, marching toward mandatory minicamp in June and the start of training camp in July.

Last week, defensive assistant coaches spoke with reporters for the first time since the coaching and front office overhaul in January. Here are four things we heard during that session.

The Bears’ decision to trade Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers in March was a calculated move, made in large part because general manager Ryan Poles saw an opportunity to add draft capital in exchange for a proven player on the backside of his career. But that deal also symbolized a vote of confidence in Gipson, who has quickly earned belief from the new regime.

Coach Matt Eberflus noted in April that he was impressed with the third-year pass rusher’s motor and athleticism and sees a chance for Gipson to take another big step forward in 2022. Gipson made the most of his opportunities last season, totaling seven sacks and forcing five fumbles.

“That’s not something that just comes naturally to everyone,” new defensive line coach Travis Smith said of Gipson’s production. “He has good awareness that when you’re an edge rusher, that if guys get high in the pocket, he can come back inside. Or if he has the edge, then he can turn it on high where then he can affect that quarterback and also go for the ball.”

Gipson’s strip-sack victims last season included Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff and Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings. He also had two strip-sacks of New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon.

Gipson’s growth down the stretch after Mack went on injured reserve in Week 11 with a foot injury was obvious.

“He went in there and showed up,” Smith said. “He was productive.”

Smith has also quickly developed an affinity for Gipson’s demeanor and approach.

“He is competitive,” Smith said. “He enjoys football. You can tell. You can see it on his face and you see he really enjoys playing the game.”

It was notable that the third-year cornerback, a two-year starter, was practicing with the second-team defense during drills while Kindle Vildor was with the first team.

But Eberflus and defensive backs coach James Rowe instructed media members, who have been allowed to watch only two of six OTAs practices, not to read into the grouping. Eberflus said Johnson, who wasn’t on the field during voluntary minicamp in April, was “just getting back into action,” and the Bears were seeing where he was at with his conditioning.

Rowe said the Bears are trying different combinations. When asked if Johnson has been meeting the coaches’ practice standard, Rowe said, “No doubt. He’s getting better every day at it.”

Johnson said during the first week of OTAs that working with a new coaching staff is a “complete reset” and noted he needed to show them what he can do in person — beyond what they saw on film.

Rowe said he thinks Johnson is on a good path toward doing that.

“The thing that I probably like most about him so far is how intelligent of a football player he is,” Rowe said. “Just continuing to do that and then … just learning our system and the way we want guys to practice and how we want things done. He is doing a good job of taking ownership of that.”

Multiple people have noted the play of the two second-round picks in practices. Eberflus said Gordon was “lighting it up” during the first week of OTAs, and Rowe noted Brisker’s knack for punching the ball out.

“Maybe his punch is a little bit heavier than most because we ask everybody to punch the ball on every play,” Rowe said. “I probably would hate to get in a fight with him. No, he just has a knack for it right now, and it’s something we all teach, obviously, the ‘Peanut Punch.’ So he’s just got a specialty.”

Eberflus brought Charles “Peanut” Tillman in to speak during rookie minicamp, and safeties coach Andre Curtis noted Tillman is making himself available to Bears players to pick his brain.

Curtis said some players just seem to have a focus for getting the ball out, and Brisker appears to have it.

“The other thing is not only punching but being accurate with it,” Curtis said. “Some guys have really good hand-eye coordination, and he’s done a good job of it so far, so we’ll see how it goes.”

Upstairs at Halas Hall, Borgonzi has taken note of a picture of the Bears’ four Hall of Fame linebackers: Bill George, Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher.

“There’s obviously a lot of history and tradition,” he said.

Borgonzi also has history with former Bears coach Lovie Smith, having served as a defensive quality control coach under Smith with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2014. That helped further his understanding of the defensive scheme the Bears will run under Eberflus.

Borgonzi’s entry into the NFL came in 2011 with the Dallas Cowboys. He was a defensive assistant while Eberflus was the Cowboys linebackers coach under coordinator Rob Ryan. Borgonzi and Eberflus worked together for two seasons in Dallas and then for the last four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. So Borgonzi said it was a no-brainer to join Eberflus in Chicago.

“We have a really good relationship,” Borgonzi said. “A lot of what I know is from what he taught me. So when he got this job, I was really fortunate that he gave me an opportunity to come with him.”