Make no mistake about it, the trade of Gervon Dexter to Atlanta put the spotlight on Bears GM Ryan Poles in a big way.
Whether you're in the camp seeing it as another example of how the Bears GM can't draft defensive players, or part of the group who thinks he did well to get something back for a defensive tackle Dennis Allen obviously didn't believe fit in is irrelevant in terms of this Bears season.
What is important is the Bears are taking a colossal gamble at defensive tackle and really with the whole defense. It all starts up front. Because of instability in the Bears' secondary, they need pressure up front to help out more than ever. Whether they can get it from the group assembled remains to be seen, but anyone who watched preseason or followed daily proceedings at training camp knows Jordan van den Berg is suddenly the next great find at defensive tackle.
If this is truly the case with van den Berg, it will be much easier for everyone to forget Zacch Pickens, Travis Bell and Dominique Robinson, past failed Poles defensive line picks. Then again, he did draft Austin Booker, who appears quite effective when not watching with an injury. Shemar Turner, meanwhile, remains in injury limbo. What the Gervon Dexter Trade Means for Atlanta 🤔 #gervondexter #falcons #nfl pic.twitter.com/vohHY8Xw9F— Locked On Falcons (@lockedonfalcons) August 31, 2026A true gambleThis appears quite the gamble because no one can assume continued excellence from 33-year-old Grady Jarrett, who was anything but healthy or excellent last year. Neville Gallimore is a player who started 26 times in 83 games. Kentavius Street started 10 times in 85 games. Nothing there screams out guaranteed impressive reps.
