When the Chicago Bears extended Kyler Gordon, it showed that the team, may be pivoting to working on contracts for players on their roster that they would like to keep for the long term.
Linebacker T.J. Edwards seemed to be an ideal extension candidate for the Bears following Gordon's new deal,m and sure enough, the team wasted no time in getting a deal done. The Bears and Edwards agreed to a two-year contract extension on Wednesday night worth $20MM.
With Gordon and Edwards inked to new deals, there still are players on the roster who could receive a contract extension.
Joe Thuney
When the Bears traded for Joe Thuney, the thought was that he would be extended. The Chiefs realized that at his age, giving him a contract raise would be risky, but their cap situation is also in more flux due to Patrick Mahomes. The Bears can afford it, and the multiple All-Pro players will not go into the year with a questionable future. This deal will get done.
Jaquan Brisker
After his rookie season, it would have been a lock that Brisker was the next player to get extended, and he was more likely to get a deal than his draft mate, Kyler Gordon. Brisker dropped off in year two and then was hurt through most of year three. The Bears would like to pay Brisker and hold him down longterm, but they need to see him on the field and that may mean risking him entering free agency. If anything, this deal may not get done until they see Brisker on the training camp field.
Braxton Jones
Braxton Jones is as questionable, or more, than Brisker. Jones has been a fine starter at left tackle, but the position is too important to settle for average, and Jones is coming off an injury as well. With that said, he is a Bears draft pick and has exceeded his draft status. Those should be the players that good franchises keep around. At the very least, you can bet these two sides are talking.