After missing the first five games of the season, Chicago Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon already appears to be in midseason form. Just a week removed from tying the NFL record for sacks in a single game by a cornerback, the 2022 second-round pick produced another strong outing in Chicago's 30-24 Thursday night win over the New England Patriots.

Gordon, who missed the entirety of training camp due to a calf injury, has struggled to stay on the field over the last two years. In April 2025, the star defensive back became the highest-paid slot corner in the NFL, signing a three-year, $40 million deal to stay in the Windy City. Since the payday, the former Husky has played in just seven games, missing most of last season with soft tissue injuries.

In just five days, the former second-round pick has erased any doubts about living up to his new contract, recording 9 tackles, 5 for loss, and 4 sacks in his first two games back.

On Thursday night, Gordon picked up right where he left off in his season debut against the Atlanta Falcons, posting 5 tackles, 2 for loss, and a sack in the primetime victory over New England. Despite missing the first month of the season, the defensive back is tied for the most sacks on the Bears with defensive end Austin Booker.

The return of Chicago's standout defender alongside franchise quarterback Caleb Williams has helped put the Bears back on track, as they are the winners of two straight after starting the season just 3-2, including a pair of divisional losses to the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers.

Winning their first of three consecutive primetime games, Chicago will head west next week to take on the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football before hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the following Sunday night. With the core of their secondary now back and seemingly better than ever, the Bears defense is ready to hold up their end of the bargain as they look to contend for an NFC title.