RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The Chicago Bears kicked off roster cutdown day with a boom, trading former second-round defensive tackle Gervon Dexter to the Atlanta Falcons.
Chicago is receiving a fifth-round pick and cornerback Clark Phillips III in exchange. It's also the first deal between Bears general manager Ryan Poles and former Bears assistant GM and current Falcons GM Ian Cunningham.
Dexter is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and while he's been decent, he hasn't been the kind of disruptive force that Dennis Allen needs in the middle of his defense. With the emergence of sixth-round rookie Jordan van den Berg, who's been a training camp and preseason standout and now projects to start alongside Grady Jarrett, it made it an easier decision to part ways with Dexter.
With Dexter now in Atlanta, Chicago's defensive tackle group includes Jarrett, van den Berg, Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street, James Lynch and undrafted rookie Jayden Loving.
There were plenty of reactions to the news of the Bears trading Dexter to the Falcons, including pointing out yet another draft miss for Poles.
NFL world reacts to Bears trading Gervon Dexter to Falcons
So if Ian Cunningham is trading for a player he helped draft on the Bears, does that mean the Bears also get a comp pick for losing Cunningham? https://t.co/2K8w1QBLbY
— Dan Pompei (@danpompei) August 30, 2026 I’m still a little surprised the #Bears actually went through and traded Gervon Dexter, but I suppose it’s better in the long run than letting him walk for nothing. I liked Clark Phillips III a lot coming out of Utah. I still have a ton of concerns about this defensive line.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) August 30, 2026 People saying Ian Cunningham traded for Gervon Dexter because he was there when the Bears drafted him are misguided Everyone knows Matt Ryan is the primary football executive in Atlanta. Ian Cunningham has no say whatsoever
— Steve Letizia (@StephenLetizia) August 30, 2026 The emergence of Jordan van den Berg certainly played a part in the Bears' willingness to shop Gervon Dexter. He'll play a contract year with the Falcons, now led by Ian Cunningham. Meanwhile, Ryan Poles picks up a much-needed cornerback in Clark Phillips III plus a fifth. https://t.co/N8LSjBRO1I
— Chris Emma (@ChrisEmma1) August 30, 2026 So this, the 3rd straight "possible Gervon Dexter breakout year," is not going to be with the Bears. This qualifies as a draft miss for Ryan Poles, at #53 in 2023. (Along with DL Zach Pickens at #64) https://t.co/075Z8pr0a0
— M@ Spiegel (@MattSpiegs) August 30, 2026 Ian Cunningham making a move with his former team sending a 5th rounder and Clark Phillips for Gervon Dexter. #Falcons https://t.co/ZpgTxNbm9M
— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) August 30, 2026 The bears wouldnt be trading for cbs if their current cb injuries are worse off than originally thought. https://t.co/fQtFB3KX0c
— Dave Steger (@StegNCheese) August 30, 2026 This is a very confusing decision by Poles to trade our best DT when our D-Line already sucks Gotta be trying for Sweat or someone else right? https://t.co/14c5HPRJRW
— Mike (@ChiNation18) August 30, 2026 Another draft failure and another trade lost by Ryan #Poles . #BearDown 🐻⬇️ #Bears #Gervon #Dexter
— Boland (@BolandSays) August 30, 2026 Gervon Dexter seems to be a great fit on paper for defensive line coach Nate Ollie's attack front. #Falcons
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) August 30, 2026 I liked Gervon Dexter and he was a very underrated defensive tackle. But I’m very high on Jordan van den Berg and I truly believe he’s going to fill Dexter’s role with flying colors. And he’s South African too of Dutch descent. Win-win!! #DaBears #NFL
— AJB 🐻🧸 (@Arjun_AJB15) August 30, 2026 Gervon Dexter era was quick
— 79th & Halas Podcast (@79thAndHalas) August 30, 2026 Shoutout to @GervonDexter by the way. A LOT of people doubted him coming out of the NFL Draft, and he did struggle early. But he showed real improvement after his rookie year and racked up 11 sacks over the last two seasons. I’m sorry he can’t remain a Bear, but I’m glad he got…
— Pete (@Pete_Martuneac) August 30, 2026 This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: NFL world reacts to Bears trading Gervon Dexter to Falcons
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