Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon isn’t focused on the contract extension he’s eligible for — and likely to get — at the end of the season. But sometimes he can’t help but think about it.
“I haven’t thought a ton about it,” said Gordon, who was Ryan Poles’ first draft pick — second round (No. 39) in 2022 — as general manager of the Bears. “A lot of people started to bring it up to me — often — now. I’m just focusing on ending the year right. I love Chicago. I love the people here, the fans, everything. So if I’m [fortunate] enough to get that, then that’s what it would be.”
On a defense with several highly paid players but no real MVP, Gordon has been a noticeable bright spot amid an alarming defensive demise since the fateful Hail Mary touchdown against the Commanders.
Gordon was part of a core of Poles second-round picks charged with providing roster upgrades from within this season along with third-year safety Jaquan Brisker (No. 48 overall in 2022), defensive tackle Gervon Dexter (No. 53 in 2023) and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (No. 56 in 2023).
The verdict heading into Week 18 is mixed. Though none has blossomed into a Pro Bowl player as had been hoped, Gordon and Dexter have taken steps forward. Brisker and Stevenson remain potential impact players but with question marks after 2024 — Brisker because of his health after a third concussion in three seasons, Stevenson because of issues with consistency and discipline.
Gordon looks like the most obvious keeper. Though he has no interceptions after getting three as a rookie and two last year, his versatility as a well-rounded slot corner has been his most noticeable improvement. He has 71 tackles, three tackles for loss and three fumble recoveries.
Gordon, according to Pro Football Focus, ranks second among 219 cornerbacks in pressures with nine, 29th in pass breakups with six and 32nd in run defense with a 75.8 grade, up from 58.3 last season. He has been a good player on a struggling defense.
“For me, no matter what the circumstance is, to be consistent and constantly improve, continue to grow,” Gordon said. “So it is [conflicting] in the sense that you want to get [wins] and stuff like that because a lot more comes with that. If we all eat, everyone gets to eat. So it can be difficult [when the defense as a whole struggles]. But it doesn’t change what I try to do as a player and as a person.”
Dexter has improved in his third season, but his growth isn’t as noticeable on a defense that has dropped from first to 27th against the run. The loss of run-stuffer Andrew Billings to a season-ending pectoral injury in Week 8 did not help. Dexter had four sacks in the first five games with Billings healthy. He has had one sack in seven games since Billings went out.
Still, Dexter is sixth among 218 defensive tackles with 13 quarterback hits, according to Pro Football Focus, and ranks 49th in run defense (67.4) — a year after he was 187th among 215 defensive tackles (36.2).
Brisker was in a class with Gordon as an improving player and already was a vocal leader on the defense. But he suffered a concussion in Week 5 against the Panthers at Soldier Field and did not return. He’ll be a key piece next season but will have to prove he can stay healthy.
Stevenson is the wild card among Poles’ second-round picks. He’s a playmaker at his best and opened the season with a game-turning pick-six against the Titans. But his major gaffe on the Hail Mary touchdown was not his only transgression, and he has to prove he can be more consistent and more disciplined.
He’s talented enough to get the opportunity but might be a tougher call for Poles, who will not have any miss room if he remains the Bears’ GM.