With all the bad things that happened with the Chicago Bears this season, there have been some bright spots. Despite being a Pro Bowl snub, Kyler Gordon has played lights out this year for the Bears. Heading into the final year of his rookie deal, it’s time to offer an extension to Chicago’s very own Spider-Man.
Kyler Gordon has been one of the few players that has been extremely consistent the whole year
— DaWindyCity Productions (@dwcprodz) December 27, 2024
Bears Pro Bowl Snub Kyler Gordon Has to Be Re-Signed This Offseason
Kyler Gordon Continues to Impress: A Case for Re-Signing
While it’s disappointing that GM Ryan Poles’ first draft pick remains his best, Kyler Gordon’s exceptional performance this year is anything but disappointing. In Week 17, Gordon earned the highest PFF grade (92.5) among cornerbacks, excelling in coverage with 26 snaps and forcing one incompletion.
For the season, Gordon ranks 32nd out of 219 cornerbacks with an overall PFF grade of 73.3. He’s also second in assists and total pressures while ranking among the top ten nickel corners in run defense and coverage, according to PFF. Beyond the numbers, Gordon’s relentless intensity on the field has been one of the few bright spots on the Bears defense this year.
Re-signing Gordon this offseason isn’t just a good move—it’s a necessity.
Kyler Gordon vs JSN pic.twitter.com/puLVlmWyHo
— Dave (@dave_bfr) December 27, 2024
Bears Should Have Had Two Pro Bowl Cornerbacks
The lone Pro Bowler for the Bears this season is cornerback Jaylon Johnson. No surprise here, as Johnson has continued to be a lockdown corner. The real surprise is Chicago should have had two cornerbacks representing the Bears in the Pro Bowl. That said, here’s the list of the NFC Pro Bowl CBs:
- Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears
- Byron Murphy, Minnesota Vikings
- Jaycee Horn, Carolina Panthers
- Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks
While Jaycee Horn is a talented player, his selection over Gordon is surprising. Gordon, who has played one fewer game than Horn, surpasses him in PFF grade, total tackles, and assists. This isn’t to discredit the other cornerbacks on the list—all are deserving—but Gordon has earned his spot among the league’s best this season.
Projected Contract for Kyler Gordon
As Kyler Gordon heads into the fourth year of his rookie contract, he becomes eligible for an extension. The Bears can choose to wait until after next year, but that could lead to a huge pay bump if he continues to ball out.
With $82 million in cap space, the Bears have the flexibility to lock Gordon in now, securing a key piece of their defense for years to come. Gordon himself is open to staying in Chicago, sharing his appreciation for the city and its fans:
“A lot of people started to bring it up to me, often, now. Really I’ve been focusing on ending out the year right and good. I love Chicago. I love the people here, the fans. Everything, so if I’m grateful enough to get that, then that’s what it would be. God willing or whatever he does and chooses.”
When projecting Gordon’s contract, consider the market. The NFL’s highest-paid cornerback, Jalen Ramsey, earns an average of $24.1 million per year, while the top-paid nickel cornerback, Kenny Moore, earns $10 million annually. Based on Gordon’s standout performance, he could command an average of $13 million per year—a fair value for one of the league’s top nickel CBs.
It’s time to give Spider-Man a huge payday in Chicago.
Kyler Gordon Projected Contract: 3 years, $39 million
Main Image: Daniel Bartel – USA Today Sports
