Chicago sends defensive tackle to Atlanta for cornerback and future pick
The Bears have agreed to trade defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. to the Falcons, receiving cornerback Clark Phillips III and a 2027 fifth-round pick. Dexter, 24, recorded 115 tackles and 13.5 sacks across his career with Chicago. The move bolsters Atlanta's rebuilt defensive interior, especially with Da'Shawn Hand's Week 1 status uncertain.
The trade reunites Dexter with Atlanta general manager Ian Cunningham, who helped select him in Chicago’s 2023 draft. Dexter’s departure follows a crowded Bears interior, where offseason additions Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street, and rookie Jordan van den Berg have pushed for snaps. Atlanta’s need grew after Da’Shawn Hand’s extended absence, though Dexter also left Tuesday’s practice with a hamstring issue. The Falcons have now remade their defensive front through free agency and trades under their new leadership trio.
Chicago will likely pair Gallimore or Street with Grady Jarrett in base sets, while Dayo Odeyingbo shifts inside on passing downs. Dexter started every game in 2025 and missed only two career contests, but the Bears’ run defense and pass rush ranked among the league’s worst last season. Coach Ben Johnson noted technique adjustments were requested this year, suggesting the move reflects scheme fit as much as roster depth.
This deal could reshape both teams’ short-term fortunes: Atlanta gains a proven interior disruptor to bolster a rebuilt front, potentially improving their playoff chances after eight losing seasons. Chicago, meanwhile, may benefit from added cornerback depth and future draft flexibility, though losing a durable starter carries risk. Fans and analysts will watch whether Dexter’s hamstring issue lingers and whether the Bears’ new rotation holds up, as the trade signals a clear shift in defensive identity for both franchises.