Bears trade Gervon Dexter: The Chicago Bears have made an important move just before the NFL roster deadline, trading defensive tackle Gervon Dexter to the Atlanta Falcons.
The Bears trade Gervon Dexter brings cornerback Clark Phillips III and a 2027 fifth-round draft pick back to Chicago. The move gives the Bears another option in the secondary at a time when the team has been dealing with several injury concerns at cornerback.
Dexter, 24, was entering the final season of his rookie contract. He was also looking for a contract extension, which had made his future with the Bears uncertain during the offseason.
Bears Trade Gervon Dexter Before Final Roster Cuts
The trade came on Sunday morning as NFL teams prepared to make their final roster decisions.
Dexter joined the Bears as a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. During his three seasons in Chicago, he appeared in 49 of a possible 51 regular-season games.
He also started all 19 games he played in last season, including two playoff games.
Despite that experience, Dexter had seen his role change during training camp this year. The Bears had been using Kentavius Street, Neville Gallimore and rookie Jordan van den Berg alongside veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.
Dexter also left practice earlier in the week with what the team described as a hamstring injury. He did not travel with the Bears for their joint practice and preseason finale in Nashville.
Why the Bears Made the Move | Bears trade Gervon Dexter
Trading Dexter was not an easy decision for Chicago because the defensive line was already considered an area that needed improvement.
The Bears had challenged Dexter to play with better technique and keep his pad level lower. Head coach Ben Johnson had praised his physical ability but also pointed to the need for more consistency.
Dexter has the size and strength to create problems for offensive linemen. He can also chase plays from one side of the field to the other. However, the Bears appeared to believe that his long-term situation and current role made him a player they could move before the season began.
The trade does carry some risk.
Chicago is giving up a defensive lineman who has been available for most of his career while adding depth at another position. The team will now need its other defensive tackles to take on bigger roles.
Clark Phillips III Joins the Bears | Bears trade Gervon Dexter
The main player coming to Chicago is cornerback Clark Phillips III.
The Falcons selected Phillips in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Utah. He has played three seasons in Atlanta, starting seven games and appearing in 21 others.
Phillips played mainly on the outside during his first two seasons. His 2024 coverage performance was particularly strong, with Pro Football Focus ranking him 20th among cornerbacks in coverage grade that season.
The 24-year-old cornerback missed most of last season after suffering a triceps injury in Week 4.
He is scheduled to become a free agent after the upcoming season, giving him an important year ahead with his new team.
Bears Need More Help at Cornerback | Bears trade Gervon Dexter
The addition of Phillips comes at a useful time for Chicago.
Jaylon Johnson recently appeared to suffer an arm injury during a joint practice. Tyrique Stevenson has also dealt with a leg issue, although neither injury is believed to be especially serious.
The Bears have also been waiting for Kyler Gordon to return from a calf problem. Gordon has not yet practiced during the preseason, leaving some uncertainty about his availability.
Chicago also lost safety Coby Bryant to a serious knee injury. Bryant is expected to miss most of the season.
Cam Lewis had originally been working in the slot but was moved to safety after Bryant’s injury. Bringing Phillips into the secondary gives the Bears another experienced option as they prepare for Week 1.
Falcons Get a Young Defensive Tackle | Bears trade Gervon Dexter
For Atlanta, the deal provides an opportunity to add a young defensive tackle with significant NFL experience.
Ian Cunningham, who became the Falcons’ general manager this offseason, knows Dexter well. Cunningham was part of the Bears’ front office when Chicago selected Dexter in 2023.
That familiarity could have helped Atlanta feel comfortable making the move.
Dexter is also entering a contract year, so he has plenty of motivation to put together a strong season with the Falcons.
Bears Receive a 2027 Fifth-Round Pick | Bears trade Gervon Dexter
Along with Phillips, Chicago received a 2027 fifth-round draft pick in the trade.
That pick is useful because the Bears had previously traded away their own 2027 fifth-round selection. Chicago sent that pick to the New England Patriots in March as part of the deal for center Garrett Bradbury.
Getting another fifth-rounder gives the Bears back some future draft flexibility.
What Happens Next for Chicago?
The Bears now have to quickly turn their attention toward the final roster.
The team’s preseason schedule is complete, and the NFL’s final roster deadline is approaching. Chicago will have to decide which players remain as it prepares for the regular season.
The Dexter trade shows that the Bears were willing to make a difficult decision even with questions still surrounding the defensive line.
At the same time, adding Phillips addresses a more immediate concern in the secondary.
For Chicago, the success of this trade may ultimately depend on two things: whether Phillips can stay healthy and contribute consistently, and whether the Bears can replace Dexter’s production on the defensive line.
For Atlanta, Dexter gets a fresh start with a team that already knows his strengths and weaknesses.
The Bears trade Gervon Dexter is therefore more than a simple player-for-player swap. It changes the depth of two important defensive units and could have an impact on both teams once the regular season begins.
