Chicago Bears defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. is heading into a critical third season, and he is quietly coming off one of the more productive seasons among defensive tackles in a critical area.
Dexter’s ascension from last season has been overshadowed by the Bears signing Grady Jarrett in free agency this offseason.
But Dexter shared a reminder of how dominant he was in that critical area last season.
Gervon Dexter Sends Message Amid New Role in Bears’ Defense
Bears DT Gervon Dexter Sr. Touts QB Hits
Dexter was the No. 53 overall pick of the 2023 draft, and the team’s top pick of the class. He recorded 20 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 17 games with one start as a rookie. He followed that up with a 5.5-sack campaign, adding 51 total stops and 2 fumble recoveries, starting all 15 games he played in.
That breakout came after Dexter transformed his body during the 2024 offseason.
This offseason, faced with new teammates and the prospects of a new role, Dexter shared a fitting graphic showing he was top-five in QB hits, captioning it with three hourglass emojis.
Dexter earned the 17th-best defensive grade among defensive linemen with at least 600 snaps in 2024 from Pro Football Focus, finishing 20th in run defense and 24th in pass rush. Dexter ranked 147th overall and 188th against the run as a rookie in 2023.
He was 68th in pass rush among his position group, though.
That and his improvement the following season could offer glimpses of what the Bears will get in 2025, albeit likely in a different role.
Gervon Dexter Sr. Operating With 2nd Unit During OTAs
Jarrett inked a three-year, $42.7 million contract in free agency and was locked into a starting spot from that point on. The spot opposite him remains far less certain, though. During the OTAs open to the media, Dexter worked with the second unit with veteran nose tackle Andrew Billings back.
Billings missed the first session of OTAs open to the media, but returned to the field last week to provide a potential glimpse of what the Bears’ 1s may look like this season.
Dexter and second-year edge rusher Austin Booker could be a formidable bench rushing duo.
Jarrett has raved about Dexter, who put together an offseason workout session that also included defensive end Montez Sweat and Booker.
“Oh, man. It’s been awesome, man. I think he has a really, really high ceiling. Run game, being effective in the pass rush, and growing as a leader, too.” Jarrett told Clocker Sports on May 21. “I think in Year 3 is such a critical time. It’s where you could take that big leap. You played some football, you get more comfortable, and now you can know how to apply things and really take that big step.”
Jarrett said he was eager to “hunt” with Dexter this coming season. Billings figures to get the early down work more often than not. But Dexter should see plenty of opportunities as the Bears rotate others like rookie second-round pick Shemar Turner into games to keep everyone fresh.
Sweat and, more likely, fellow end Dayo Odeyingbo figure to see work inside, too.
The Bears have made it a point to acquire versatile defensive linemen, and that should mean plenty of reps for everyone to capitalize on.