Ex-Bears TE Thomas Gordon Signs Futures Deal with Lions, Eyes Fresh Start in Detroit
Just days after their season ended in a crushing overtime loss to the Rams, the Chicago Bears wasted no time turning the page. The front office quickly moved to sign 14 players to reserve/future contracts-an annual ritual that gives fringe players a shot to compete during the offseason and potentially crack the 53-man roster come training camp.
Among those signed were wide receiver Maurice Alexander and running back Brittain Brown, both of whom will now get a full offseason to make their case. But notably absent from that list? Tight end Thomas Gordon.
Gordon’s journey with the Bears has been anything but straightforward. The former Northwestern standout joined Chicago in early August but was cut at the end of the preseason.
He returned to the team’s orbit in late December, signing to the practice squad just before Christmas and sticking around through the end of the regular season and into the playoffs. Still, when it came time to hand out futures deals, the Bears chose to move in a different direction.
That decision opened the door for a division rival to make a move. The Detroit Lions, always on the lookout for potential depth at tight end, signed Gordon to a futures contract this week.
Detroit’s tight end room is in a bit of flux heading into the offseason. Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright are both recovering from significant injuries, and Shane Zylstra is set to hit free agency.
Anthony Firkser remains on the roster, and the team also gave a futures deal to Zach Horton. With Drew Petzing stepping in as the Lions’ new offensive coordinator, there’s a clear opportunity for fresh faces to make an impression.
Petzing, after all, helped elevate Trey McBride’s role in Arizona, and he’s likely looking to build a similarly dynamic group in Detroit.
For Gordon, this is a second chance-one that comes with no guarantees, but also with a clean slate. He didn’t flash much during his preseason stint with the Bears, which likely played a part in him being left off the initial practice squad. But the Lions clearly see enough potential to bring him into the fold and see what he can do in a new system.
The Bears, for their part, seem comfortable with their current tight end depth. Cole Kmet continues to be a reliable presence, and Colston Loveland is an exciting young prospect. Add in the three tight ends they did sign to futures deals, and it’s easy to see why Gordon was the odd man out.
Still, it’s always worth keeping an eye on these intra-division moves. Gordon now has a shot to prove himself in Detroit, and while the odds of making the 53-man roster are steep, that’s exactly the kind of challenge players on futures deals are built for. Whether the Bears ultimately regret letting him walk remains to be seen-but for now, Gordon’s focus shifts to seizing this opportunity with the Lions and showing he belongs.