Bears Youngster Sends Message Ahead of Potential Breakout Season

Gervon Dexter, Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles made several additions to the roster this offseason. But they opted to go for depth options rather than anyone who figures to challenge for a significant role at defensive tackle. They let veteran and locker room leader Justin Jones leave in free agency. Andrew Billings begins his two-year contract extension this coming season.

Behind him, though, are youngsters Gervon Dexter Sr. and Zacch Pickens.

Selected in the second and third rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft, respectively, Dexter and Pickens are positioned to have breakout seasons. Dexter, for one, is claiming his ascension in no uncertain terms.

Bears’ Gervon Dexter Sr. Sends Message Ahead of Potential Breakout Campaign

Gervon Dexter Poised to Break Out for Bears

The Bears? social media team celebrated another day closer to the season with Dexter?s picture ? No. 99 for 99 days until the season.

?Can?t wait to show the world,? Dexter said in a quoted post on X on June 1.

Selected with the No. 53 overall pick, the 6-foot-6 Dexter took a while to adjust to the NFL game, namely playing with a low pad level.

Things seemed to click for the former Florida Gator as the season wore on, though. He recorded all 2.5 of his sacks from Weeks 14 through 17. Dexter finished with the second-best pass rush grade among the Bears? defensive tackles last season, per Pro Football Focus.

Only Billings, the Bears? nose tackle, was better.

Montez Sweat Praises Gervon Dexter Sr.

?Boy you gonna see,? Bears defensive end Montez Sweat told former NFL EDGE Chris Long on the ?Green Light Podcast? in April. ?You going to see, ma. He’s pretty good. I feel like he was still just kind of unlocking himself, being himself. And I think that’s going to really flourish flourish this year.

?He’s a really talented kid. He’s one of those quick, real quick D-tackles, but strong as hell. It’s really a sight to see. But, yeah, he going to jump out on the scene, for sure.

Sweat then echoed a similar critique for Dexter that the players has had for himself.

?He’s tall, but he’s strong though,? Sweat said. ?And another thing: using that leverage. You got to learn how to. Because he’s a longer guy too, so. He’s one of those guys that can ? Jack-of-[all]-trades ? he could do it all kind of.?

?Sometimes he came out on the edge and was and was making some inside moves. ? Pretty good.?

Dexter certainly appreciated the kind words from his teammate.

Jones was even more effusive in his praise for his former protege during the season.

Justin Jones: Gervon Dexter on Path to Being ?Elite?

Dexter spent much of his first season focusing on being Jones? understudy. The outspoken veteran set a high bar for his now-former protege.

?I feel like he?s gonna be really, really, really good player one day. And I mean like really good,? Jones told Clocker Sports in October. ?I feel like, career-wise I feel like he?s gonna have a really really good career, and I feel like he?s taking those strides to be an elite player at some point.?

?It feels good getting going, getting that confidence rolling, and play playing fast,? Dexter told Clocker Sports in January. ?I want to dominate a little more in the run game and have my presence there a little more, so that?s one thing I?m gonna work on.?

If he continues his trend from last season, Dexter could be in for a big year with more opportunity headed his way after he logged just 40% of the defensive snaps, per Pro Football Reference.