Bears DT Gervon Dexter named as player under pressure to perform by PFF

Chicago Bears sophomore defensive tackle Gervon Dexter is entering a critical season. Dexter played 432 snaps as a rookie, which accounted for roughly 40.35% of all Bears defensive plays, per Pro Football Reference. The No. 53 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft produced just modest numbers, totaling 20 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

Despite that, Dexter is being earmarked for a starting role this season. He’s the next-man-up being tasked with replacing Justin Jones this season after Jones joined the Arizona Cardinals in free agency. That places quite a bit of pressure on Dexter to perform in 2024, says Pro Football Focus.

Which player in Year 2 is under the most pressure? pic.twitter.com/UhNKz6x7B3

— PFF (@PFF) July 8, 2024

“Though the Bears made a couple of strategic additions on defense, the overall approach has been more one of keeping faith with the young players they have in place and letting them improve as they develop,” Sam Monson wrote. “One of those key defensive players is the team’s 2023 second-round defensive tackle, Gervon Dexter.

Dexter flashed potential as a rookie, and the Bears are extremely high on him, but he recorded a 36.2 PFF run-defense grade in his first season. His pass-rush production was significantly better, with 29 total pressures coming from 297 pass-rushing snaps, but Dexter needs to take that leap in Year 2 to justify Chicago’s faith and not put a cap on how good this defense can be.”

PFF is correct that Dexter may be the biggest question mark on the Bears’ defense. Matt Eberflus’ unit is loaded with proven talent in the form of Montez Sweat, Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Jaylon Johnson, and so many others. This defense will be elite in 2024 if Dexter develops into a legitimate difference maker.