The Chicago Bears made the highly polarizing decision to trade Gervon Dexter Sr. this offseason. Not only that, but they sent him to another NFC team, and they didn't get much value in return for his services.
Clark Phillips has yet to play a single snap for Ben Johnson's team, and a fifth-round pick doesn't look like enough for a player of his caliber. He's having the best season of his career, and he might be in for a revenge game in Week 6.
The Bears will visit the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, likely with Caleb Williams back on the field. And while they've had nothing but praise for Dexter, the star defensive tackle can make them regret that decision on Sunday.
The Bears have to figure out how to contain Gervon Dexter Sr.
According to TruMedia (via Pro Football Network), Dexter leads all defensive tackles in pressure rate this season (14.5 percent). He's also Pro Football Focus' No. 4-ranked DT (81.9), putting up 18 total pressures (No. 6), 14 hurries (No. 2), 15 total tackles, and one sack.
Ben Johnson claimed this was a win-win situation, mostly because the Bears weren't in a position to pay him. Dexter certainly got the best of the trade, as the Falcons were quick to give him a four-year, $78 million contract extension:
"He's a phenomenal football player," Johnson said (h/t Mason Williams). "We know that about him. (Trading him) was one of those things I think it was a win-win for both sides in terms of getting him a fresh start and going down to a really good style of defense that matches his skillset. He's playing hard, he's getting out of the stack, he's chasing the ball down, which is really the MO of their entire defense."
But was it really a win-win situation? The Bears got some financial relief, but not enough draft capital or players to justify losing a player of his caliber. The defense has been better than expected, but not necessarily because of his departure or Neville Gallimore's addition.
Sometimes, things just work out for everyone involved. But until Phillips gives this team something (unlikely) or they use that fifth-round pick, it's hard to believe the Bears didn't get fleeced in this controversial trade.
The Bears' offensive line has held its own pretty well this season, but center Garrett Bradbury has admittedly been the weakest link. That can prove costly against Dexter, who knows the Bears' blocking schemes inside and out and is playing the best football of his career.
That's a two-way street, though, and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen also knows his strengths and tendencies better than most coaches. This will ultimately be a chess match, but if Dexter has a chip on his shoulder and wants to remind the Bears of what they could've had, this could be a long day in the office for Caleb Williams.
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