
#99 DT · Chicago Bears
Height
6'6"
Weight
326 lbs
Age
25
College
Florida
Draft
2023, Rd 2, #53
Experience
3 yrs
DT Rank
#40 / 218
Grade this player:
| Year | Team | GP | Sacks | Tkl | TFL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | ![]() | 49 | 13.5 | 115 | 10 |
| 2025 | ![]() | 17 | 6.0 | 44 | 5 |
| 2024 | ![]() | 15 | 5.0 | 51 | 4 |
| 2023 | ![]() | 17 |
Length
4 years
Total Value
$7.2M
Guaranteed
$3.7M
AAV
$1.8M/yr
The Bears locked up Gervon Dexter Sr. at what amounts to a steal, earning an A CVI for a deal that secures a serviceable starter at well below market rates. At just $1.8M AAV, Chicago is paying backup money for a player who has proven capable of handling starting responsibilities on the defensive line, creating exceptional value in a position group where even middling starters typically command $4-6M annually. Dexter's age profile works perfectly here — as a young defensive tackle still developing his game, this four-year deal captures his prime years while the guaranteed money ($3.7M of $7.2M total) provides reasonable downside protection without handcuffing the franchise. The contract structure is particularly shrewd, giving the Bears flexibility to either ride out a breakout season or move on after year two without devastating cap consequences. This is exactly the type of calculated gamble that championship-caliber front offices make — identifying ascending talent and locking them up before the market catches up to their production.
Gervon Dexter Sr. is a 25-year-old defensive tackle entering his third NFL season, still developing into a reliable interior presence for Chicago's defensive front. Earning a C- overall grade, Dexter sits below average among starting-caliber 3-techs but shows enough flashes to project as a legitimate contributor. His youth and trajectory — improving from an F in 2023 to consecutive C+ grades in 2024 and 2025 — suggest a player still finding his footing rather than one plateauing. Dexter's most encouraging stat is his pass-rush production: 0.35 sacks per game sits comfortably above the NFL average of 0.21, signaling genuine interior pressure capability. His tackle rate of 2.59 per game is serviceable and near the league average of 2.30, indicating baseline reliability against the run. The biggest concern is his tackles-for-loss rate — 0.29 per game falls short of the NFL average of 0.35, meaning he's too rarely disrupting plays behind the line of scrimmage when penetration matters most. Dexter draws reasonable comparisons to early-career versions of run-of-the-roster starters who later carved out multi-year roles once their technique and instincts caught up to their athleticism. If he can convert his above-average pass-rush pressure into more consistent TFL production, he has a legitimate path toward a C+ or B- ceiling within two seasons. The Bears will need to see cleaner pursuit angles and stronger gap discipline heading into 2026 for Dexter to truly lock down a featured role.
Gervon Dexter Sr. enters the 2026 offseason in a precarious roster position with the Chicago Bears, as recent coverage strongly suggests the organization is evaluating alternatives at defensive tackle through both the draft and trade market. The Bears' front office appears to be signaling a lack of long-term commitment to Dexter, with multiple outlets identifying him as a potential trade candidate and the team actively drafting at his position across multiple rounds. His 13.5 career sacks over three seasons reflect flashes of pass-rush potential, but the absence of any forced fumbles, interceptions, or significant accolades has limited his standing as a proven contributor. At a modest $1.8 million salary, Dexter holds minimal leverage in roster negotiations, and his low contract value makes him an easy cap casualty or trade chip rather than a cornerstone piece. The overall media narrative heading into 2026 is one of uncertainty and transition, with fan perception likely cooling as the Bears publicly explore upgrades at his position.
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| 2.5 |
| 20 |
| 1 |
Recent seasons are weighted more heavily in the overall performance grade.
C+
2025
(50% weight)
C+
2024
(30% weight)
F
2023
(20% weight)