The Chicago Bears are looking for their first four-game winning streak since the 2018 season, and they will need another strong effort from defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr.
A second-round pick in the 2023 draft, Dexter has stood out for the Bears in a noteworthy way, and one that could be informative about how they address their run defense woes. That is, if their Week 6 effort against the Washington Commanders proves an aberration.
This week, Dexter and the Bears play the New Orleans Saints.
Gervon Dexter Reveals ‘Main’ Factor in Key Development Before Bears Face Saints
Gervon Dexter Talks Run Game Turnaround, Personal Pass Rush
The Saints enter the contest 1-5, and Bears head coach Ben Johnson spoke on Friday about it being a big test of not letting up despite facing a downtrodden opponent. But Dexter pointed to multiple key factors that bode well for the Bears heading into this game.
The Bears got linebacker T.J. Edwards and nickelback Kyler Gordon back, for one.
But it was their play as a whole that made the difference from their first few weeks of getting gashed to largely containing what had been a strength for the Commanders.
“I think our linebackers filled gaps very well last week,” Dexter told Clocker Sports on Friday after practice. “Getting T.J. and Kyler back definitely helped as well. And, probably, just shedding blocks better.”
This week, the Bears could get another boost with the potential return of Grady Jarrett. The two-time Pro Bowler missed the Bears’ last two games – both wins – with a knee injury.
Jarrett is “questionable” for Sunday’s tilt, but seems to be trending towards playing.
“When you’re missing a guy like Grady, obviously, you’ll feel it. But guys are stepping up, playing good. Chris Williams stepping up and filling that role pretty well. Bill [Andrew Billings] being up and back in the starting rotation. So, guys are just stepping up,” Dexter told Clocker Sports.
“When you got a guy like Grady on the team, obviously, it’s for the better of the team. It’ll be a big boost. So, it’s Grady Jarrett.”
Regardless of Jarrett’s status, the Bears need Dexter to continue doing what he has been doing.
Gervon Dexter Sr. Having Career Year as Pass Rusher
Dexter is currently on pace for career-highs in sacks, pressures, and hurries. Through six weeks and five games for the Bears, Dexter has 2.5 sacks, 3 hurries, and 8 pressures. Dexter is Pro Football Focus’ ninth-best IDL pass rusher among those with at least 100 pass-rush snaps.
He is the top-graded pass rusher on the Bears entering Week 7, followed by (in order) Jaquan Brisker, Montez Sweat, Dominique Robinson, and Dayo Odeyingbo.
Dexter pointed back to the “same thing” as the key to the Bears’ run defense for his pass rush.
“Same thing as the run: just get off,” Dexter told Clocker Sports. “Getting off blocks, being able to chase the quarterback, and, like I said, just get off blocks, trying to win some more one-on-ones.”
“Getting off blocks” has been the “main thing” his coaches have stressed, and it paid off with his second-highest-graded performance of the year.
Dexter had his best game as a run-stopper, but second-worst as a pass rusher, in Week 7.
If he can put it all together and do it consistently, the Bears’ early-season woes will quickly fade into the background. They rank 31st against the run heading into their game against the Saints, who are middle-of-the-pack on the ground and in the air.
