The confluence of several factors made it possible for GM Ryan Poles to trade defensive tackle Gervon Dexter for a fifth-round pick and cornerback Clark Phillips III.
The major one was obviously defensive tackles Jordan van den Berg and Jayden Loving making huge statements, but it's obvious the Bears had no intention of paying a big contract in the future for Dexter, who has only flashed his talent at times throughout three seasons.
"That deal was more about timing than anything," Poles said Tuesday during his annual post-preseason state-of-the-team address. "Timing and fit.
"You know we had some young guys really pushing that came in this year with Jordan and Loving. They did a really good job, and we felt like it was a good fit as we moved forward."
Final thoughts on the Gervon Dexter trade. The Gervon Dexter trade was about Dexter the rookies just made it easier.Dexter wanted an extension. Chicago didn’t want to pay him, solid pass rusher. Not great vs the run. His 44.0 PFF run D grade ranked 107th/134 IDL.For a… pic.twitter.com/2Pe0Eny0I5— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) September 1, 2026The timing in this case was the Bears owed Dexter a huge deal by next year and at this point felt they could afford to lose a player chosen in Round 2 because they're looking at using lower-priced, promising players this year. The money in the future will be needed for something important, like an extension for quarterback Caleb Williams. Also, the trade now could bring back a little more than a trade at the deadline, and maybe a lot less then if Dexter had been injured. Confident in current groupNone of that would matter if the Bears GM and coach Ben Johnson thought they lacked the defensive tackles to shut down the run or rush from the interior. They are convinced about both van den Berg and Loving, but also the veteran group including Grady Jarrett, Neville Gallimore and Kentavius Street. Also, they have added back veteran defensive tackle James Lynch to the roster, for now, at least.
