After a disappointing 5-12 season in 2024, the Chicago Bears recognized the need for significant changes and implemented a comprehensive offseason overhaul. Several key transactions have already occurred, and these strategic moves hold the potential to dramatically improve the team's performance. A notable upgrade is on the defensive side, with former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen now leading the defensive play calls as the new coordinator. Allen’s extensive 14 years of NFL experience, encompassing both defensive coordinator and head coaching roles, signifies a valuable addition to the Windy City. He’s poised to unlock the considerable potential of one of Chicago’s promising young defensive players. Specifically, NFL.com’s Gennarro Filice identifies third-year defensive tackle Gervon Dexter as the Bears’ most "underappreciated" player, and this season, Dexter is projected to experience a significant surge in performance. Filice highlighted Dexter’s impressive start to the 2024 season, noting that he began with a dominant "tear," recording four sacks and ten quarterback hits within Chicago’s initial five games. However, his performance wanned somewhat in the latter half of the season, with only one sack and nine quarterback hits, due to missing two contests stemming from a knee injury. It’s important to acknowledge the context surrounding Dexter’s performance; he lacked substantial support on the Bears’ defensive interior, particularly following the season-ending injury suffered by fellow defensive tackle Andrew Billings in early November. This lack of support significantly impacted his effectiveness.
Despite this initial challenge, General Manager Ryan Poles strategically bolstered the defensive line through both free agency acquisitions (adding Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett) and a crucial second-round draft pick (Shemar Turner). These additions of talented defensive linemen represent a concerted effort to strengthen the Bears’ defensive front. With this influx of high-caliber talent, Dexter is expected to operate with greater versatility within new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s scheme, allowing him to move around the defensive line more effectively. Dexter’s performance during the 2024 season was still remarkably strong, accumulating 51 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and even a pass deflection, alongside those five sacks. These statistics are particularly noteworthy when considering his position as a defensive tackle. Furthermore, Dexter consistently ranked highly in Pro Football Focus evaluations, being graded as the 28th-best defensive tackle. This strong evaluation underscores the Bears’ optimism regarding Dexter’s long-term prospects, contingent on his ability to maintain optimal health. The anticipation is that this could be the year where Dexter transitions from an underappreciated player to a breakout star, capitalizing on the enhanced support and strategic flexibility afforded by Allen’s new scheme and the team’s strengthened defensive line. The Bears' investment in Dexter and the surrounding defensive talent suggests a belief in his potential, and fans are eager to see him fully realize that potential this season.
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