Will Bears get second-year jump from DT Gervon Dexter?

The Chicago Bears are counting on several rookie playmakers to assist their overall team performance in 2024. Quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze are at the forefront of that. There are also a handful of sophomore players that are crucial to fully unlocking the Bears’ positive range of outcomes. Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter is a key talent that must enjoy a breakout season if the Bears defense is to reach its potential.

The No. 54 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft played sparingly for the Bears last season. Dexter appeared in all 17 regular-season contests, but was limited to a rotational defensive line role. He played 432 snaps, which accounted for 40.34% of all Bears defensive plays according to Pro Football Reference.

The results were predictably a mixed bag. Dexter recorded 20 total tackles, 29 quarterback pressures, and 2.5 sacks. Pro Football Focus assigned Dexter a pass-rushing grade of 65.9. He was a liability versus the run, earning a lackluster grade of 36.2 in that department. The Bears still fielded the top-ranked run defense in the league, allowing just 86.4 yards per game.

Gervon Dexter is 6’6 and 312 lbs. Here he is rushing off the edge and beating Penei Sewell for a QB hit. This is only the second QB Hit Sewell has surrendered this year.

The Bears have a good one, guys pic.twitter.com/ZUgcJYN4FU

— Chicago Football Connection (@CFCBears) November 20, 2023

Bears general manager Ryan Poles entered the offseason needing to improve his defensive tackle room. The best player at the position last season was Justin Jones, and he was hardly a difference-maker, totaling 4.5 sacks. Jones signed with the Arizona Cardinals earlier this offseason, further magnifying the need for a bigger interior presence.

With so many needs to address throughout the offseason, particularly on the offensive side of the ball in anticipation of Williams’ arrival, defensive tackle went somewhat unaddressed. The Bears weren’t major plays for any defensive tackles in free agency. Veteran journeymen Byron Cowart and Jacob Martin joined via minimum one-year deals in free agency.

Nor did Poles draft a defensive tackle with one of his selections in the 2024 NFL Draft. Former Illinois tackle Keith Randolph Jr. was a big-name undrafted signing, but the Bears aren’t counting on him to fix the position. No, that onus will largely fall on Dexter’s development this season.

Dexter flashed moments of brilliance throughout his rookie season, but becoming a more consistent player in Year 2 is on the agenda. The former Florida standout will likely replace Jones as Matt Eberflus’ starting three-technique. If the Bears defense receives a sophomore jump from Dexter, there’s little preventing them from being a top-five defense this season.