Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles was completely open about his desire to sign Kyler Gordon long-term. He followed through on that message, as Gordon has agreed to a three-year, $40 million contract extension.
The new deal makes Gordon the highest paid slot cornerback in the league. It’s a testament to both how strong the cornerback has been, and how much further the Bears think he will improve. Overall, Gordon will be a staple in the secondary next to Jaylon Johnson for the foreseeable future.
The cornerback clearly held the same vision as Poles, wanting to stay in Chicago. Forty-million dollars certainly tipped the scales, but Gordon believes in the Bears’ future. Even after getting the bag, Gordon is committed to only getting better and proving why he deserved the lucrative extension, via Chris Emma of 670 The Score.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say it was a goal of mine,” Gordon said of becoming the highest-paid slot cornerback. “At the end of the day, I just want to be the best at my position, period. I guess I didn’t have number or a price on myself. I wanted to work hard and be the hardest nickel at my position and the best at it. That’s what I accomplished, and I feel like I still got more out there that I want to show.”
Kyler Gordon on becoming the NFL's top-paid slot cornerback: "I wouldn’t necessarily say it was a goal of mine. At the end of the day, I just want to be the best at my position, period. I guess I didn’t have a number or a price on myself. I wanted to work hard to be the hardest…
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) April 15, 2025
Kyler Gordon’s career with Chicago Bears thus far
Gordon was originally selected by the Bears with the No. 39 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He was famously Poles’ first draft pick as general manager, since Chicago didn’t have a first-rounder. Gordon’s addition came with an immediate return, as the cornerback started 14 games.
He made 71 tackles, six passes defended and three interceptions, which remain a career-high heading into 2025. Over his entire three-year NFL career, Gordon has appeared in 42 games, making 207 tackles, 17 passes defended, five interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
His 2024 campaign is what proved to Poles and company that he is officially apart of the team’s defensive core. Gordon made a career-high 75 tackles with five passes defended and three fumble recoveries. He may not have had an interception, but Gordon did rank 20/222 cornerbacks with a 76 grade from Pro Football Focus. The cornerback shined in coverage, as he matched his 76 grade, ranking 19/222.
Gordon may have a new contract in place, but the work has just begun. New defensive coordinator must find a way to maximize the cornerback’s skillset as both hope to justify Gordon’s new contract.
Bears build out secondary
Gordon’s extension came after Johnson earned a four-year, $76 million pact of his own in 2024. However the Bears alter their defense, both are locked in at nickel and outside cornerback respectively. One of the biggest question marks remaining is fellow cornerback Tyrique Stevenson.
He is still poised to enter 2025 as a starter, but Stevenson is coming off of a disappointing season. He was marred in controversy after the Washington Commanders Hail Mary disaster. Furthermore, Stevenson earned a putrid 58.9 grade from PFF, ranking 133/222 cornerbacks. Still, he has shown flashes of brilliance at times and has made 32 starts over his two-year career. Stevenson will get another chance in 2025, but Chicago is certainly keeping an eye on the situation.
Behind them is a pair of safeties in Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard. Byard had a strong first year with the Bears and is set to be a leader once more. However, he is a free agent after the season. Brisker has made explosive plays when he’s on the field. But he played in just five games in 2024 due to a concussion. So while not necessarily an immediate need, Chicago will soon need to figure out the long-term plan at safety.
For now though, the Bears are basking in the glow of Gordon’s new extension. As Poles prepares for his fourth draft, he can confidently say he found a winner in his first once. The cornerback’s lone missions now are living up to expectations and leading Chicago’s defense back to prominence.
Chicago Bears Named a Team That Must Knock the 2025 NFL Draft Out of the Park
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