The Chicago Bears’ offseason program formally started April 7.

Kyler Gordon didn’t attend the voluntary session or those immediately after it. The slot cornerback was waiting for his contract extension to be done.

He didn’t have to wait long.

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Gordon formally signed the contract Tuesday, two days after agreeing to a three-year deal worth up to $40 million.

A pact always was in the cards. The Bears made no secret of the fact that they wanted to extend Gordon’s deal, and the fourth-year NFL veteran said time and again that he wanted to stay in Chicago long-term.

That’s why a deal was done relatively easily, setting a new bar for slot cornerbacks in terms of average annual value.

“I think Chicago and the organization showed how much they did value me and what they wanted to do with me here and wanting to keep me here,” Gordon said in a virtual press conference with Bears beat reporters. “I feel like you guys heard a majority of the time that it’s a priority, and they’ve shown me that since the beginning. We talked about it. It’s just a good feeling to have that coming from the staff and organization.”

Gordon is the rare player who does most everything well. He can cover shifty receivers despite them having a two-way go. He’s a sure tackler and an aggressive run defender, which is required of those playing in the slot. He’s also an effective blitzer when called upon.

The Bears spend significant time in the sub packages, with Gordon’s versatility allowing them to operate well against several offensive personnel groupings.

Gordon’s game tape illustrates that. New coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen singled him out by name before ever meeting him, praising his playing style while expressing confidence he would fit in well with the staff. That’s why an extension always seemed inevitable.

While Gordon is happy to have the deal done quickly, he doesn’t consider it a destination moment. It’s a step along his journey.

“Everyone is still in the same mindset that we have work we want to do,” Gordon said. “I feel like everyone, we’re all thinking about where we want to take this team more than what I’m doing. At least that’s where my mind is, too. We all wanted to get this out of the way and do it the right way, respectfully, but really get to the main priority, which is building this team and getting where we want to get in this NFL season.”

The University of Washington product has been a big part of the Bears’ defense since Poles selected him No. 39 overall in the 2022 NFL draft. Gordon has been a full-time staple since then, with 42 games played in three seasons. He has 207 total tackles, including nine for a loss, with five interceptions and 17 passes defensed.

Gordon credits the experience of so many snaps to his rapid NFL rise, as an instant-impact player who has improved each season. He played outside some as a rookie, but he really has honed in on the slot since then.

“I’m the type of person where I kind of want to see the whole menu right away,” Gordon said. “Just so I can keep digesting as much as I can. Instead of just getting piece by piece. To be able to go like that and learn quickly, I feel like I adapt really fast, so I feel like it just accelerated everything for me.”

While he wanted to earn this type of payday during his NFL tenure, Gordon was adamant his motivation won’t wane one bit.

“(There are) personal and team goals I want to accomplish while being in this league,” Gordon said. “Until those are done, I feel like it’s never-ending as far as the bars I set for myself and where I want to be and how I want to represent this team. So. It’s definitely very motivating, you know?

“I feel like, in this new scheme, I’m excited to have a new perspective and learn new things from these coaches and improve myself as a player getting different tools from everyone around me. I feel like it’s just another chance to upgrade myself and build that rank up. And yeah, set these challenges and break them.”

The Bears’ secondary is a strong unit and should be for some time, with Gordon and Jaylon Johnson under contract for an extended stretch. There are some question marks on the back end, most notably with Jaquan Brisker’s long-term status, but having top cornerbacks around for a while will establish a proper foundation for the position group.

“We are excited to have Kyler remain a member of the Chicago Bears for years to come,” Poles said in a statement released by the team. “Kyler will be a big part of our defense, and we look forward to his continued ascension on our team.”

Gordon believes he can thrive working with Allen, and he has surveyed New Orleans Saints film for clues about how he’ll be used under his new coordinator.

“Their versatile players are able to do everything, and I feel like being a player like that, I feel like as an offense, it’s hard to track you down as far as what you’re doing in that role and that player, so I’m very intrigued what this plan is going to come up and what he’s got for our offense, especially watching players like Tyrann Mathieu and what the Saints had in the past,” Gordon said. “All I can say is that I’m excited, and I can’t wait, honestly.”