Latest news with #GervonDexter
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chicago Bears' Second-Round Pick Getting Rave Reviews From Teammates
Chicago Bears' Second-Round Pick Getting Rave Reviews From Teammates originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Sometimes, it's better to spend less time discussing who hasn't arrived or never showed up and more time talking about who's already and those who never left. The Chicago Bears rookie getting the most attention is first-round pick Colston Loveland, and with good reason. He's a plus athlete with an incredibly high ceiling, and he also hasn't been seen much during training camp or offseason workouts because he is recovering from a Type V AC joint injury in his right shoulder. Naturally, his presence and potential impact on an exciting Bears offense is creating conversation. In all of the talk about Loveland, Bears fans might be neglecting a rookie who is shaping up to be a potential standout in 2025 and beyond. The Bears selected DT Shemar Turner in the second round with the 62nd overall pick out of Texas A&M. Turner is showing flashes and his teammates are taking notice. "He has all the tools," Bears third-year DT Gervon Dexter Sr. said of Turner. "He's very athletic, very talented. So getting another guy like that, I'll be able to grow with and see him, you know what I mean? Read some of the stuff that he want to do as well." Dexter is only 23 years old, just a year older than Turner, but he's had solid experience in his first two years in the NFL. Dexter has already played in 32 pro games and is expected to make a serious leap next season alongside veteran leader Grady Jarrett. When you also include veteran Andrew Billings, the Bears seemingly have solid depth on the DT and Turner won't have a ton of pressure on him to make an immediate impact. As a second-round pick, there's going to be some expectations that Turner shows fans and the front office that he will be ready to take Jarrett's spot down the road, but he doesn't need to be elite from Day 1. This is a good problem for the Bears to have and it's yet another layer for Bears fans to be excited. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bears' Gervon Dexter explains what makes Dennis Allen special
With all the attention and hype that new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has received since being hired back in January, a lot of players on the roster have also expressed excitement on the defensive side. As he was assembling his coaching staff, Johnson brought in veteran coach Dennis Allen to be the defensive coordinator for Chicago, and players have shared plenty of optimism about his arrival and potential impact as he looks to install a violent, aggressive defensive mindset. Advertisement Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr., one of the rising young players on defense, raved about Allen's arrival and how he feels the veteran coordinator can highlight his strengths. "Coach Allen's defense is a lot of different, you know what I mean?" Dexter said. "He throws in a lot of different fronts, a lot of different ways to get after the quarterback and stuff like that. So I think being the type of guy I am, I can play in a lot of those different fronts. So just being in it and he'll move guys around the way, and the offense - he'll switch it up on the offense. It'll be good for not only me, but everybody on the defensive line and on this defense." Last season, Dexter, totaled 51 tackles, five sacks, and two fumble recoveries, showing a big jump from his rookie season, and now will look to build on that in his third season. Chicago brought in extra reinforcements on the defensive line by signing veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who could be a mentor for Dexter just as much as Allen could be as his coach. For all the focus that the offense and quarterback Caleb Williams have received this offseason with the new coaching staff led by Johnson, there should be a similar feeling on defense. Allen will have a good mixture of both veterans and young players to work and mold in his first year as defensive coordinator, and Dexter could be one of the biggest beneficiaries. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears' Gervon Dexter explains what makes Dennis Allen special
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bears newcomer Grady Jarrett excited to work alongside Gervon Dexter
The Chicago Bears made some impactful moves this offseason, including the signing of defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. Not only does Jarrett bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, but he'll serve as a leader in the defensive line room, including for someone like third-year pro Gervon Dexter. Dexter impressed during his first full season starting last year, most notably with Andrew Billings with him along the interior. He set career highs across the board in total tackles (51), tackles for loss (4), sacks (5.0), QB hits (19) and fumble recoveries (2). Advertisement For Jarrett, he thinks the sky's the limit for Dexter, who he noted is showing growth both in his play and as a leader. Dexter even organized a workout for Bears defensive linemen, where he invited Jarrett to Miami before the offseason workouts kicked into gear. 'I think he has a really high ceiling," Jarrett said. "Run game, being effective in the pass rush and growing as a leader too. When I first signed with the team, you saw us down in Miami working out together, (Gervon) put that together, he invited me. I thought that was a big gesture for him to invite me to hang out with them, spend some time working on our craft. I was able to meet him and Montez (Sweat) before I came in the building. I think that's been good for our relationship even before we got in the building, and that just showed his willingness to try to take that next step." Jarrett is impressed with how Dexter has approached the offseason as he looks to improve in Year 3, and the veteran defensive tackle is excited to play alongside the young, rising star. "You can see him and you can see the work he is putting in the weight room away from the facility," Jarrett said. "He was here early. He spends extra time with coach, I think year three is such a critical time where you could take that big leap. You play some football, you can get more comfortable and now you can know how to apply things and really take that big step. I'm excited to see what happens for him. I think our styles complement each other very well and I can't wait to continue to go hunt with the guy.' Advertisement With new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen leading the charge, expect an aggressive style of defense where the hope is Jarrett and Dexter will be wreaking havoc along the interior. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears newcomer Grady Jarrett excited to work alongside Gervon Dexter
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ben Johnson envisions a big season for Bears DT Gervon Dexter
Chicago Bears defensive tackle Gervon Dexter could be in line for a big season in 2025. While Dexter has shown glimpses of his potenital, he hasn't had a breakout year just yet. But that could all change this year. This offseason, the Bears aded multiple veterans to reinforce the defensive line alongside Dexter, including signings defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, as well as drafting defensive tackle Shemar Turner. Advertisement Last season, Dexter got off to a fast start but his production declined when veteran defensive tackle Andrew Billings was lost for the season to a torn pec. Now, Dexter is positioned to have a productive season surrounded by key veterans. This week at minicamp, head coach Ben Johnson discussed Dexter's role this season and how he feels the entire defensive line can rise up as an entire unit. "It's hard to compare because I've only been with him now for, what, seven weeks, eight weeks?" Johnson said. "But, I can tell you this, just from afar, having called plays against him, he was a guy that really came on last year. You could feel it. With Billings being out last year, you could feel him grow into just a little bit more of, 'Hey, I need to step up here,' and you could see it. You can see it on the tape. There was growth. There was more production, particularly in the pass-rush game. "I think what we've seen here from the D-line room, as a whole, we've seen a lot of guys that are pushing, they're growing. I like to spend a lot of time down there during individual because it's not just great work, technique work they're getting, but they're coaching each other up along the way. as well. We have a great, cohesive unit. Then, when we get the pads on, it's going to be a really healthy competition, as well." On top of the player additions made to the roster, the Bears brought in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett to help maximize the roster. With the players in place, there's no reason we shouldn't see better production from the defensive line in 2025. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears HC Ben Johnson envisions a big season for DT Gervon Dexter
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gervon Dexter dubbed Bears' most underrated player in 2025
The Chicago Bears have some big names on their roster, led by quarterback Caleb Williams, receiver DJ Moore, cornerback Jaylon Johnson and defensive end Montez Sweat. But there are some talented players who've flown under the radar, including defensive tackle Gervon Dexter. Dexter, a second-round pick in 2023, was a pleasant surprise on defense in his first full season starting last year. He set career highs across the board in total tackles (51), tackles for loss (4), sacks (5.0), QB hits (19) and fumble recoveries (2). Unfortunately, Dexter's production took a hit after the loss of Andrew Billings. But he's still established himself as a key player along the defensive interior. Gennaro Filice dubbed Dexter the most underrated player on the Bears roster. Dexter started last season on a tear with four sacks and 10 QB hits in Chicago's first five games. He only recorded one sack and nine QB hits in his final 10 games, though, missing two contests due to a knee injury. To be fair, the second-year pro didn't have much support on the Bears' defensive interior, especially after fellow DT Andrew Billings suffered a season-ending injury in early November. But Ryan Poles fortified the D-line in free agency (adding Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett) and the draft (second-round pick Shemar Turner). With that influx of talent, Dexter could be set to move around the front more as a more versatile weapon in new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's scheme. Dexter has shown plenty of promise, and he stands to learn from a pair of veterans in Billings and free-agent addition Grady Jarrett, who should help elevate his game. The Bears defense is undergoing some changes with the arrival of new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who's looking to employ and aggressive style of defense, and having a disruptive interior pass rusher like Dexter will do wonders for this unit. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Gervon Dexter dubbed Bears' most underrated player in 2025
