The Chicago Bears signed defensive tackle Grady Jarrett in free agency, and he projects to man one of the starting defensive tackle spots. Who will get the starting nod next to him remains uncertain, but new Bears teammate DT Gervon Dexter Sr. has made a strong impression.
Dexter is heading into his third season as a pro, and Jarrett believes it is a critical time that the former second-round pick is ready to embrace.
Moreover, Jarrett expects a big season from Dexter.
Bears DT Gervon Dexter Sr. Reacts to Grady Jarrett’s Comments
Grady Jarrett Hypes Gervon Dexter Sr. During Bears OTAs
The Bears selected Dexter with the No. 53 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He followed up a 2.5-sack rookie season in which he flashed his potential with a 5.0-sack campaign in 2024. That waas after a drastic change in his physique during the previous offseason.
This offseason, Dexter’s outlook is far less certain.
However, Jarrett’s comments are encouraging, even with how early in the offseason program the Bears are.
“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. He was one to – when I first signed with the team, y’all saw us down in Miami, working out together. G put that together. He invited me, and I thought that was a big gesture for him to invite me, to be able to hang out with them, spend some time, work on some craft. And I was able to meet him and Tez [Montez Sweat] before I came in the building. I think that’s been good for our relationship, even before we get got in the building,” Jarrett told Clocker Sports on Wednesday.
“That just showed his willingness to try to take that next step. But you can see him, man. You can see the work he putting in [in] the weight room, away from the facility. He here early. He’s spending extra time with Coach.”
Dexter has embraced the expectations of improvement every offseason, including this one.
“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, man,” Jarrett said. “I’m excited to see what happen for him, man. I think our styles complement each other very well, and I can’t wait to continue to go hunt with the guy.”
Dexter appreciated Jarrett’s comments, sharing a handshake emoji on X while quoting a clip of his new teammate’s comments.
Bears Veterans Rave Over Gervon Dexter Sr.
Gervon Dexter Sr. #99 of the Chicago Bears on the practice field during OTAs. Mandatory credit: Clocker Sports.
Dexter’s post from earlier this offseason fittingly comes as his teammates heap praise upon him, both for his work ethic and his natural ability. Former teammate Justin Jones was among the most ardent of Dexter’s supporters.
Dexter was the veteran’s understudy as a rookie. Jones said he believed Dexter would become a “really, really, really, good player one day. And I mean, like, really good.”
“I feel like he’s taking those strides to be an elite player at some point,” Jones told Clocker Sports in October 2023. “When it comes to the game of football and learning the ins and outs, I feel like he has an open mind when it comes to that. And I feel like he takes information and brings it to the field within each practice. It’s not a couple things that you have to say to him too many times before it gets corrected.”
Bears DTs Among Absentees at OTAs
Notably, Bears nose tackle Andrew Billings was not present for Wednesday’s OTAs, which were the first open to the media. Billings is recovering from a torn pectoral muscle that cut his 2024 campaign short and is entering a contract season.
Also not present was Dexter’s draft classmate, Zacch Pickens. His trajectory has taken a different path to begin his career, with injuries marring his 2024 season.
There were many other Bears not present on Wednesday.
Cornerbacks Kyler Gordon and Terell Smith, left tackle Braxton Jones, offensive lineman Ryan Bates, and safety Elijah Hicks were also not on the practice field. Rookie first-round pick Colston Loveland was present but donned a red non-contact jersey and did not participate in drills.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson seemed to float a six-week timeline for Loveland before the tight end is ready to resume contact activities.
Loveland told Clocker Sports he was “itching” to get back during rookie minicamp.
Johnson also said that rookie second-round pick Luther Burden III is dealing with a “soft-tissue” issue. The wideout picked up the ailment during rookie minicamp. Of note, Burden did participate in all three days of rookie minicamp before missing the first two days of OTAs (which began on Tuesday).
