Bears Cornerback Signs Extension to Become Highest-Paid Slot Corner
The Chicago Bears reached an agreement on Sunday to extend the contract of cornerback Kyler Gordon. It was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter less than a half hour after Rory McIlroy won the 2025 Masters Tournament. The deal was reported to be a three-year, $40 million extension with $31.25 million guaranteed. This contract now makes Gordon the highest-paid slot corner in the NFL.
Gordon was the first player that Chicago selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. After trading up in 2021 to select Justin Fields, it left the team without a first-round pick the following year, which led to the Bears selecting Gordon with the seventh pick in the second round. In a draft that was very deep in secondary positions, Gordon was the 10th defensive back off the board but has played very well in his young career. As a rookie, Gordon secured three interceptions, six passes defended, and 71 tackles, leading the way for a very young and inexperienced Bears secondary. Despite finishing bottom-two in the entire league in rushing yards and touchdowns allowed that season, the team finished respectable against the pass, allowing the 10th-fewest touchdowns and 17th overall in yards allowed.
The former Washington Husky has put together more seasons of exceptional play as time has gone on. In his career, Gordon has accumulated five interceptions, 17 passes defended, and 207 tackles, all before turning 26 years old. He has quickly established himself as one of the top nickel cornerbacks in the entire league. Now, with the Bears having Jaylon Johnson and Gordon locked down until at least 2027, it will be interesting to see if the team also offers an extension to Jaquan Brisker. Brisker, who was selected just nine picks after Gordon in ‘22, has been another exceptional player in the Bears secondary that missed most of last season with concussion-related symptoms. Only time will tell what general manager Ryan Poles decides to do.
