Tag: Gervon Dexter

What Bears DC Eric Washington wants to see from Gervon Dexter, Zacch Pickens by training camp

New Bears DC Eric Washington has high expectations for second-year defensive tackles, Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens.

The Chicago Bears have high expectations to live up to in 2024. While a lot of that will fall on the offense, featuring some new talent, the defense will also play a crucial role.

After getting off to a rough start during the 2023 season, they ended the year on a high note as one of the NFL’s top units (following the addition of Pro Bowler Montez Sweat).

The key to the defense’s success will be the continued growth of their young talent, including second-year defensive linemen Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens. New defensive coordinator Eric Washington recently explained what he wants to see from the pair by training camp.

“I want to see polished fundamentals,” Washington said. “I want to see things that I know will allow them to be as disruptive and as efficient with their rush fundamentals as possible. We’re talking footwork, alignment adjustments based on the down and distance, and when we’re in an obvious passing situation. It’s more awareness and just a great coordination of fundamentals that I know that are going to give them a chance to really win that particular rep and down.”

This is good news for Chicago’s defense. They are looking to improve, and many young players will be counted on. If Washington gets his wish from Dexter and Pickens, the unit might be even better than we thought.

With the way that general manager Ryan Poles and his staff are building this team, it is clear that they expect a lot. That’s important when trying to produce a winning football team. If everyone does their job, they will get it done. Dexter and Pickens are talented players, but now it’s about taking it to the next level.

With the right work ethic, they will do it because the leaders are asking that of them. Nobody is content with “good enough,” and that is the way it should be.

Montez Sweat predicts breakout year for Bears teammate Gervon Dexter

Bears DE Montez Sweat believes DT Gervon Dexter is “gonna jump out on on the scene” this year.

There are high expectations surrounding the Chicago Bears defense, which had a strong finish to the 2023 season. Now, they have the potential to be a top-five defense in the NFL.

Chicago has an ascending secondary returning All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson, a top linebacker duo with T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds and a star edge rusher in Montez Sweat. And there are some young players on the roster looking to take a step forward this season.

Sweat recently appeared on the Green Light Podcast with Chris Long, where he had high praise for defensive tackle Gervon Dexter, even going so far to predict a breakout season for last year’s second-round rookie.

“You’re gonna see man. He’s pretty good,” Sweat said about Dexter. “I feel like he’s still just kind of unlocking himself and being himself. And I think that’s gonna really flourish this year, but he’s a really talented kid. He’s one of those quick [defensive] tackles and was strong as hell. It’s really is really a sight to see. But yeah, he’s gonna jump out on on the scene for sure.”

The Bears selected Dexter in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft, and he showed signs of his potential during his rookie season. While it took him some time to adjust to the pros, his improvement was notable with the more reps he saw. Dexter totaled 20 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 12 QB hits and two pass breakups in 17 games with one start.

With Justin Jones exiting in free agency, Chicago has a starting job to fill at three-technique. Dexter is the favorite to assume the role, especially given the Bears haven’t made a move to fill that vacant spot yet. We’ll see if Dexter can take the next step forward in Year 2.

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Former Bears DT Justin Jones to sign 3-year deal with Arizona Cardinals

According to NFL Network’s Peter Schrager, Justin Jones is leaving the Bears to sign a three-year deal with the Cardinals.

One of the Chicago Bears best free agents has found a new home. According to NFL Network’s Peter Schrager, defensive tackle Justin Jones is signing a three-year deal worth $30.1 million and $19.75 million guaranteed.

It’s a hefty raise for Jones, who joined the Bears in 2022 on a two-year deal worth $12 million after coming into the league with the Los Angeles Chargers. He outperformed his contract and was the most consistent defensive lineman during that stretch. Jones tallied 7.5 sacks, 101 total tackles (22 for a loss), 24 QB hits, and four pass breakups in 34 starts. He was named a captain for half of the 2022 season following the trade of Roquan Smith.

The loss of Jones only adds to the Bears’ needs on the defensive line. They’re in the market for an edge rusher and now need an additional defensive tackle to go along with Andrew Billings, Gervon Dexter, and Zacch Pickens. There are still quality options available, and they could also look at the draft to find someone. Regardless, Jones was productive in Chicago during his two years, and his departure creates a vacancy. Fans will see him again soon enough, though. The Bears and Cardinals are scheduled to meet in 2024.

Behind enemy lines: Previewing Bears/Vikings w/Bears Wire

We spoke to Alyssa Barbieri of Bears Wire to get the lowdown on the Chicago Bears before they face the Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are facing a pivotal game in week six against their NFC North division rival Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon.

It’s a huge game for the Vikings and Bears, as they both sit at 1-4 and a loss will crater their playoff chances. Both teams had aspirations of a playoff berth but it hasn’t looked like it’s going to happen to this point.

Despite their record, the underlying metrics for the Vikings look good. They have played good football outside of their 12 turnovers and -9 turnover differential. That fact gives them a glimmer of hope for a potential playoff berth.

Going into Sunday’s game, we spoke to Alyssa Barbieri of Bears Wire to get the lowdown of the Bears.

Chicago Bears Stock Exchange: Who’s up, who’s down entering Week 6?

The Bears are coming off their first win of the year thanks to many players who are seeing their stock begin to rise.

For the first time in nearly a year, the Chicago Bears began a week of practice, coming off a regular-season win after they dismantled the Washington Commanders 40-20 on Thursday Night Football. The Bears were in control for most of the game as they got off to a fast start thanks to quarterback Justin Fields and wide receiver DJ Moore and never looked back. The score at halftime was 27-3, and though a late surge from the Commanders made things a bit more interesting late in the game, they were never a true threat to mount a comeback.

This was a team victory thanks to many different contributors on both sides of the ball, which means plenty of Bears players are seeing their stock rise as they get ready for a divisional matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Here is the latest look at the Chicago Bears Stock Exchange heading into Week 6.

Chicago Bears Stock Exchange: Who’s up, who’s down entering Week 5?

Let’s take a look at the players whose stock is rising and falling in this week’s edition of the Chicago Bears Stock Exchange.

It’s the beginning of October, and the Chicago Bears still have yet to win a football game after falling 31-28 to the Denver Broncos to start the year 0-4. In fact, it’s been close to 365 days since their last win, and their collective stock has never been lower. The good news, however, is that isn’t the case for all of their players.

Though they suffered a painful loss in Week 4, many of their players had standout performances that helped raise their value. It had been quite a long time since that happened, and perhaps that momentum can carry over into Week 5 when the Bears face off against the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football.

Heading into that game, here are the players whose stock is up and the players whose stock is down in our latest look at the Chicago Bears Stock Exchange.

4 key matchups ahead of Bears vs. Chiefs in Week 3

The Bears take on the Chiefs in Week 3, and we break down all the key matchups to watch for.

The Chicago Bears face their biggest challenge of the season against the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, and the obstacles the team faces are just as prevalent off the field as it is on.

The Bears are under much scrutiny for the events that unfolded over the last couple of days: quarterback Justin Fields gave a quote that was taken out of context and it got a rise on social media, left tackle Braxton Jones was put on IR with no clear timetable for his return, and things took a dark turn when defensive coordinator suddenly resigned with no indication as to why.

General manager Ryan Poles said it best: the Bears are facing a ton of adversity at this moment. Even so, a win can ease many of the issues Chicago faces. Let’s go over the four key matchups ahead of Bears vs. Chiefs in Week 3.

3 key matchups to watch as Bears battle the Packers in Week 1

The Bears will look to get the upper hand in three key matchups against the Packers in Week 1.

The Chicago Bears kick off the 2023 NFL season by hosting their long-time rival Green Bay Packers Sunday at Soldier Field, and both teams are looking drastically different than they have in year’s past.

Chicago now boasts a star wide receiver in DJ Moore, a scary running back group and tenacious linebacker unit. The Packers, on the other hand, have turned over the offense to former first-round pick Jordan Love, who now carries the fanbase’s expectation of being the next great Green Bay quarterback.

The two teams both have strengths and weaknesses that the opposing squad can exploit, so let’s discuss those matchups that will inevitably come into play on Sunday. Here are three key matchups to watch for in Week 1.

3 keys to a Bears victory vs. Packers in Week 1

The Bears will play the Packers at home to kick off the season, and the Bears will need to do three things to get the win.

The Chicago Bears host the hated Green Bay Packers to kick off 2023 NFL season this Sunday at Soldier Field. For the first time in years, the playing field is even. Not in the literal sense, of course (though Soldier Field’s natural grass is tough to play on). But the two teams seem to be evenly matched now that the Grim Reaper of Chicago, Aaron Rodgers, has moved on.

Though the Packers now have a new signal-caller under center, former first round pick Jordan Love, it would be unwise for Bears fans to already pencil in a win for Chicago. Green Bay is still a tough opponent that’s had the Bears’ number for a long time, which means Chicago needs to execute in several areas to take down their long-time rival.

What do the Bears need to do to score a triumphant win over the Packers? Here are three keys to a Chicago victory:

7 standout players in Bears’ 24-21 preseason loss to the Bills

The Bears wrapped the preseason with a loss to the Bills, but there were several standout players for Chicago.

The Chicago Bears’ preseason has finally come to close, and it certainly was an interesting stretch of exhibition games. The team was never able to match the same efficiency they produced in the opening game, and the Bears finished their final game with more questions than answers.

The offense was inconsistent, petering out on their first two drives before finally getting the offense into the red zone. Even then, quarterback Justin Fields took a hard hit and was pulled out of the game, leaving fans frustrated that he couldn’t see the drive through.

On the flip side, the defense got shredded by the elite talents of quarterback Josh Allen and receiver Stefon Diggs, leaving fans wondering whether to blame the defense’s preparedness or chalk it up to the Bills’ offensive greatness.

Despite how last night’s game went, fans are happy to be past the scrimmage-like games and are looking forward to meaningful football being played. Before that comes around, however, several Bears stood out in an attempt to avoid being on the cutting room floor when roster cut day comes around, and we’ll be covering every player here.

With that being said, let’s discuss the seven players who stood out in the Bears’ final preseason game.