Ahead of the 2026 season, the Chicago Bears majorly shuffled their defensive line parting ways with Gervon Dexter in exchange for corner Clark Phillips and a fifth-round pick. This was in part due to the standout performance of rookie Jordan van den Berg as well as new addition Kentavius Street. Whether by coincidence or design, Street joins former Atlanta Falcon Grady Jarrett on the defensive line as Dexter was sent to the Falcons to help answer the loss of the current Chicago lineman.
Street has unquestionably been one of the stars of the summer for Dennis Allen's defense. The defensive coordinator recently spoke on the new addition and what he was seeing. Allen's answer undoubtedly will have fans paying close attention to the defender to kick off the season.
"Quite honestly, I think he was the most productive tackle we had throughout the course of training camp. He's got the suddenness and the explosiveness off the ball that we're looking for to create penetration and disrupt the line of scrimmage."Dennis Allen
Calling out Street as the most impressive lineman on a unit that has a breakout rookie and the accomplished veteran Grady Jarrett is telling. Allen clearly has lofty expectations for a signing that was clearly underrated heading into the summer. Street was added on a one-year deal worth $1.4 million in what appeared to be a bargain depth signing.
Judging from the summer performance and Allen's high praise it now seems the lineman has worked his way into an incredibly important role. One that gives Street a chance to be an answer for a pass-rushing unit facing no shortage of questions after star edge rusher Montez Sweat.
Bears defensive lineman Kentavius Street pointed to as standout summer performer
Street was a fourth-round pick back in the 2018 offseason with the San Francisco 49ers. The defender would spend time with the Falcons, New Orleans Saints, and Philadelphia Eagles before joining Chicago in the 2026 offseason. With this in mind, it is very telling that Allen is going out of his way to build up the summer of a veteran lineman.
It shows an incredibly level of excitement and confidence in what was previously viewed as a simple depth signing. Now, there is reason to wonder how many snaps Street could play early in the season and whether or not the lineman could force his way into a starting role.
No matter the answer, there is no denying just how impressive Street has been heading into the year. It seems the Bears have far higher expectations for a defensive line that was a clear point of concern only a season ago.
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