The Chicago Bears took a gamble on Gervon Dexter in the 2nd round of the 2023 draft. While he had a reputation for being a good run defender, most felt he didn’t have the necessary tools to become the interior pass rusher they needed. However, head coach Matt Eberflus felt his athletic foundation was strong enough to prove those people wrong once he learned how to play within the Bears’ attacking system. Once Dexter learned to use his powerful lower body and long arms to full effect, he could be a monster.
That risk seems to be paying off, as the second-year defensive tackle now has six pressures and two sacks through his first two games of the season. One play exemplified his progress better than most. During one play against the Houston Texans last Sunday, he was the only defensive lineman tasked with rushing the quarterback as everybody else was dropped into coverage. Despite this, he still managed to squeeze the pocket enough to force C.J. Stroud to unload the ball.
Fans weren’t the only ones who took notice of the moment. Franchise legend Akiem Hicks chimed in with high praise of his own.
Hicks approving Gervon Dexter is the ultimate validation.
The two share a lot in common. Both were selected on day two of the draft. Both were considered underdeveloped and one-dimensional when they arrived in the NFL. Hicks overcame those questions to become a well-rounded beast who could stop the run and terrorize the quarterback in equal measure. In six seasons with the Bears spanning 77 games, he racked up 31 sacks, 88 QB hits, and 247 tackles. If he says Dexter has the same mentality he did during those great years, Chicago should be excited.
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The best part is if he’s correct, the timeline favors the team even more. Don’t forget Hicks didn’t arrive until he was 27 years old. That shortened the window of peak play they would get from him. Gervon Dexter is only 22. If he’s on the same trajectory, the Bears may have a centerpiece for their defense that could last for the next decade. It is certainly great to see the young defensive tackle have so much respect for those who came before him. Fans have missed Hicks for a long time.
@Dr. Steven Sallie —
I loved it (the GG episode).
100% speed to power!
@baddog I don’t blame you or Dr. M one bit. But even on this thread you can see the entity who attacks/Mocks us personally because he does not like our football comments or critical thinking style. He presses for conformity not freedom of expression/opinion/speech. So I just give what he deserves. Keep in mind, I’m just holding my ground and firing back against the bully. I suppose he is the same way with his mate, if any. Thus, it’s called self-defense, and I do it mostly, not for myself but for all the other people he must have bullied in… Read more »
@TGena Okay, I’m back from a seven-mile run, getting ready to go out for the night–not in Soho as usual, but in Brixton, as about once per month. As a gang leader, I brought a bunch of guys to the GG gym location. We were not being recruited. The coach said I had world-class speed. Then we went on to the large body bag. A few people went before me. Nothing unusual or unexpected. My turn. I sized up the bag with two hands, looked at the big chain(s) connected up to the ceiling. With my very first punch, in… Read more »
. . .and, ramming it to Erik Lambert!
My apologies @nonobaddog.
You’re right: Football is the point.