Kyler Gordon: A Chicago Bears Extension Candidate
Kyler Gordon, the 2022 second-round pick from the University of Washington, has shown flashes of talent in his early career with the Chicago Bears. As a cornerback, Gordon brings a lot of upside with his athleticism, versatility, and ability to cover ground quickly. Given that the Bears are in a rebuilding phase, the team will want to lock down key pieces for the future—especially in the secondary, which has been an area of focus for the team for years. With Gordon entering the third year of his rookie deal, the question arises: should the Bears look to extend him, and what would an extension for Kyler Gordon look like moving forward?
Kyler Gordon’s Potential and Role in the Bears Defense
At 5’11” and 200 pounds, Gordon brings an ideal blend of size, speed, and fluidity to the cornerback position. His 2022 rookie season showed some growing pains as he adjusted to the NFL level, but there were enough flashes of his potential to be optimistic about his future. Gordon’s physicality, ability to read the quarterback’s eyes, and knack for challenging throws make him a valuable asset in the Bears’ secondary.
Gordon’s versatility stands out as one of his biggest assets. During his time at Washington, he was known to excel in multiple types of coverage—whether that was man-to-man, zone, or press coverage. This versatility makes him an ideal fit in a system that asks cornerbacks to handle a variety of assignments. Additionally, his ability to play inside as a slot corner or on the outside adds even more value for the Bears, who are looking for defensive backs who can handle multiple responsibilities.
However, consistency has been an issue for Gordon. Like most young cornerbacks, he has faced growing pains as he adjusts to the speed and complexity of the NFL game. He’s had moments where he’s been beaten in coverage, and he’s shown some vulnerability when it comes to securing tackles. This is expected from a young player, but it also raises questions about whether he’s ready for an extension just yet.
Gordon’s 2023 Performance
In 2023, Kyler Gordon’s development was noticeable, but it was clear that the Bears’ defensive unit still had room to grow. With the Bears shifting to a 4-3 defensive front and continuing to build around a youthful core, Gordon was tasked with taking on more responsibility. His performance in 2023 displayed some positive trends, but also some issues that the Bears must address before offering an extension.
- Pass Coverage: Gordon has shown promise in coverage, though he’s still refining his skills. His ability to stay close to his receiver and contest throws is solid, but he’ll need to develop more consistency with his timing and awareness in high-pressure situations.
- Tackling: One area where Gordon has struggled at times is in his tackling. As a cornerback, his ability to come up and contribute in run support is key. While not a safety, Gordon needs to be more physical in both taking on blockers and making clean tackles on ball carriers, especially in the open field.
- Takeaways: One of the more exciting aspects of Gordon’s game has been his ability to create turnovers. While he hasn’t been a ball-hawking cornerback yet, he has shown the instinctual awareness to make plays on the ball and disrupt passes when needed.
If the Bears were to extend Gordon, it would be based on his development trajectory and the potential for him to become a top-tier cornerback in the NFL. The coaching staff likely sees Gordon as a cornerstone piece for their secondary moving forward, especially with their focus on improving their defense. However, an extension should not be granted without carefully weighing his progress and overall impact.
The Importance of Cornerback Play in the Modern NFL
In today’s NFL, having elite cornerback play is crucial to building a competitive defense. With the rise of pass-heavy offenses, teams rely heavily on their cornerbacks to lock down receivers, cover ground quickly, and create turnovers. The Bears, who have historically struggled to find consistency at the cornerback position, need to ensure that they have a long-term answer at the position, especially considering the high volume of talented receivers in the NFC North.
Gordon’s potential to become one of the top cornerbacks in the division is certainly there, but it will take time and further development for him to reach that level. The Bears have an opportunity to be proactive in locking him up early, which could help avoid the risk of him outperforming his rookie contract and pricing himself out of Chicago.
Factors Affecting the Extension Decision
- The Salary Cap Situation: The Chicago Bears are in a solid financial position with a favorable salary cap, and they have the flexibility to make moves for both short-term and long-term goals. As of the 2025 season, the Bears are expected to have one of the highest cap spaces in the league, which could make an extension for a player like Gordon easier to manage financially. However, that doesn’t mean the team should be reckless in extending contracts. Every decision must factor in long-term cap health, especially with other potential extension candidates like Justin Fields, who is expected to be the centerpiece of the offense for years to come.
- Depth at Cornerback: The Bears’ depth at cornerback will also play a role in the extension decision. If the team is able to develop other cornerbacks behind Gordon or add external talent through the draft or free agency, they may be less inclined to commit to Gordon long-term. Conversely, if Gordon is among the most reliable and promising options on the roster, the team may look to extend him as soon as possible to solidify the unit.
- The Coaching Staff’s Confidence in Gordon: Gordon’s development will also be tied to the coaching staff’s evaluation of his potential. If the Bears’ defensive coaching staff, led by defensive coordinator Alan Williams, believes in Gordon’s growth and ability to reach his ceiling, they may move forward with an extension. If, however, they feel he is still too raw and hasn’t made enough progress, they may be cautious in offering a long-term deal.
- The Draft Class of 2025: Another important factor is the depth of cornerbacks available in the upcoming draft. If the Bears feel that there are more talented cornerbacks available in the 2025 NFL Draft, they might take a wait-and-see approach with Gordon. They could choose to draft another player to compete with him, creating internal pressure for Gordon to prove himself.
What Would a Kyler Gordon Extension Look Like?
Given that Gordon is still early in his career, an extension would likely resemble a mid-range deal that balances potential with production. While he has shown promise, he hasn’t yet established himself as an elite cornerback, so his extension would likely come with a lower average annual value (AAV) than that of established top-tier cornerbacks.
In terms of money, a four- or five-year deal seems reasonable, with the structure allowing the Bears to keep the option open if Gordon doesn’t continue to develop. The contract would likely fall in the range of $8-$12 million per year, which is a typical deal for a solid but not elite cornerback in the NFL. This would ensure the Bears lock in Gordon at a reasonable cost, allowing them to build around him without overspending at the position.