Last off-season, GM Ryan Poles focused on making sure the Chicago Bears worked out a contract extension with star cornerback Jaylon Johnson. It took longer than anticipated, but the finish line was eventually reached. Johnson was locked up on a new four-year deal. This off-season is somewhat of a mystery. Chicago has multiple players who are reaching the point where their rookie contracts are set to expire. Will any of them secure an extension this spring?
Bill Zimmerman of Windy City Gridiron spoke up on this subject on Thursday. His best understanding is that one player will likely get a new deal. That is cornerback Kyler Gordon.
Zimmerman wasn’t alone in his statement. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune backed him up in his latest column, published on Friday. There isn’t as much urgency as with Johnson, but the expectations are that it can and probably will get done at some point soon.
He had to use the franchise tag as a means toward hammering out a four-year, $76 million extension with cornerback Jaylon Johnson. While there isn’t the same kind of urgency in terms of a timeline to pay nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon, don’t be surprised if the Bears work on a new contract for Gordon this offseason.
The Chicago Bears’ stance with Gordon is hardly shocking.
In just three years, the former 2nd round pick has become one of the NFL’s best nickel cornerbacks. His versatility is outstanding. He plays the run well, has standout capability as a blitzer, and has become such a danger in coverage that opposing quarterbacks have almost stopped throwing in his direction. If not for some injury setbacks at times, he would be in line to challenge for the highest-paid player at this position. It is a safe assumption he will command at least $10 million per year and probably more.
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As for Braxton Jones and Jaquan Brisker, they are tougher cases. Jones has been a dependable left tackle for stretches over the past three years. Unfortunately, he still has certain weaknesses in his game and was undercut further by multiple injury issues in 2024. Brisker would’ve been an obvious extension option before a concussion basically knocked him out for the season after five games. The Chicago Bears will likely let them both play the final years of their rookie deals. If they excel in 2025, extension conversations can happen then.
I am more curious to see what they do with T Jenkins this off-season. Hate to see them let him walk even with his injury history. Sometimes players come into the league and go through their first years on injury after injury and then suddenly they start stringing seasons together avoiding the injuries and go on to become top tier players at their positions. interested in seeing approach Brisker and K Allen, and what happens now with T Scott who just seemed to magically disappear when the Bears hired S Waldron and promoted T Brown.
Yes, to locking up Gordon, Feel for Brisker, but the truth is what it is. Bears have depth in the safety area. Still about 3 months to the draft. You can’t have all-star players at every position.
Man I really feel for Brisker. He’s in a tough spot, as is the team. He plays as hard as anyone in the league. The dude is seriously talented and this defense is much better with him in it. Unfortunately with his health history he’s a huge risk to the team and especially himself. If he does return I hope he takes all precautions possible. It’s hard to tell a player to play safer because that usually hinders their abilities. Whatever he chooses I hope he has a long successful healthy career. The Bears are gunna be tough to beat… Read more »
Locking up Gordon makes sense. Unfortunately can’t say the same for Brisker.
Brisker’s medical status is a mystery. Obviously Poles needs to know so he can draft or sign a starting Safety. Damn shame because he’s a stud.
Poles will give Gordon a fair offer.
Fortunately, Poles (unlike Pace) has plenty of cap cash on hand to extend guys AND sign top FAs.
Now with solid coaching, and a great 2025 offseason, the Bears should be a much improved team. We will know by Week 4 if we have a contender ir a pretender.