Chicago Bears Reportedly Eyeing Unexpected Name For An Extension

GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus have hinted for weeks that the team is hoping to start the process on contract extensions for some of the young players on the Chicago Bears roster. There are some obvious candidates to consider. Wide receivers Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool have expiring contracts. So do 2020 draft picks Cole Kmet and Jaylon Johnson. The best guess for the first name to get a deal is Kmet after his impressive 2022 season. However, there is another name getting unexpected traction.

According to insider Matt Lombardo of Heavy.com, rumblings have surfaced that Poles and Eberflus have high hopes to secure defensive end Trevis Gipson to a new deal this year. He has a lot of fans at Halas Hall, including those at the top.

The Chicago Bears could be on the verge of locking up one of their top young edge rushers, according to multiple league sources.

Trevis Gipson, 25, enters the final year of his contract with the opportunity to take a major step forward.

“They like him a lot,” a league source with knowledge of the Bears’ thinking told Heavy, on the condition of anonymity to speak freely. “That’s why they drafted interior help rather than taking an EDGE-rusher.”

Nothing is imminent.

The team wants to see if he takes a step forward in the defensive scheme after going through a difficult transition from outside linebacker last year. If he reaches a certain threshold of production, they are fully prepared to lock him up.

There is a belief in league circles that The Bears could be prepared to sign Gipson to a big-money contract extension, if he bounces back this fall.

“I’d think if he can get somewhere between 7.0 and double-digit sacks,” said a source,” that should be enough to get a deal done.

The Chicago Bears' high hopes for Gipson aren't a surprise.

He was their most disruptive presence on the defensive line last year. The first half of the season was really strong despite his low sack total, producing 19 pressures in eight games. However, he then went through a prolonged slump of only two pressures in five games. Thankfully, he did right the ship over the final month, positing nine pressures in four games to close out the year. The Bears know Gipson is capable of strong sack totals. He had seven sacks in 2021, his second season in the same scheme. They likely hope he'll see a similar spike in 2023.

Improvements to the middle of the defense should help. DeMarcus Walker and Zacch Pickens should provide more interior pass rush, which would ease the number of double teams he would see. An improved run defense would also lead to better rush opportunities. Much of this depends on him. Gipson is in a contract year. If he wants to get paid, he needs to produce. The Chicago Bears have left the door wide open to accomplish that goal. Many teams wouldn't do that.