Kyler Gordon was Ryan Poles’ first NFL draft pick. The Bears general manager stuck the landing on that one.

The slot cornerback just might be the league’s best at his job — someone who is aggressive against the run and tough in coverage and so good that defensive coordinators feel comfortable staying in the sub package even when offensive personnel suggest they shouldn’t.

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Yeah, he’s that good.

Scouts and GMs consider draft wins not only by talent. They also think about whether the individual can help the team, ideally, over multiple contracts.

Gordon is on his second contract. That’s a good thing for the player. That’s a good thing for the team.

Poles said extending Gordon was a priority, and he made it one, keeping the defensive back with an extended deal worth $40 million over the course of three seasons.

That was a smart move for a player who’s popular in the locker room and lifts his position group on the field and off.

It’s also the first actionable message Poles has been able to send in his tenure: If we draft you and you’re all you can be, we’ll pay you.

That’s important for a relatively new front office that’s trying to establish trust with its roster. The Bears had to let go of so many players while getting right with the salary cap that it could’ve prompted some unease. Then they extended DJ Moore, a trade commodity who simply had to be retained.

But re-signing draft picks is another matter, especially when that player resets the market for a position group. That says something. Play well, and you’ll be rewarded. This was Poles’ first opportunity to do so, as someone who has been around just long enough to see his initial draft class become extension eligible.

It’s understandable that Jaquan Brisker and Braxton Jones — others from that initial Poles draft class — haven’t been extended just yet. Jaquan Brisker has dealt with concussion-related issues in each of the past three seasons. Braxton Jones has been good but is coming off season-ending ankle surgery heading into a contract year while playing a premium position. Both guys could warrant pay days at the end of the 2025 season, which would make Poles’ first draft class an unmitigated success. You find three solid impact starters in a draft class, and that’s a win.

The Gordon deal should tell everyone in the Bears’ locker room that good things come to those who play well. That’s an important message, especially over teams that ship their top talent away when they’re ready to get paid.

Poles has sent a loud message throughout the locker room with this Gordon deal, that the goods will come to those to make the organization proud.

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