The Atlanta Falcons have acquired defensive tackle Gervon Dexter in a trade with the Chicago Bears. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Falcons are sending cornerback Clark Phillips III and a fifth-round pick to the Bears in exchange for Dexter.
The Falcons needed interior defensive line help and new general manager Ian Cunningham was in Chicago when the team drafted Dexter in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound defensive tackle should start for Atlanta this season.
Dexter started all 17 games for the Bears last season, recording 44 tackles (21 solo) and six sacks. Over his first three seasons in Chicago, he recorded 115 tackles (57 solo), 13.5 sacks and 42 QB hits.
Phillips, a former fourth-round pick, was fighting
for a roster spot but hadn't carved out a significant role in Atlanta over the last three seasons. Since the Falcons have decent depth at defensive back, this appears to be another savvy move by Cunningham and Matt Ryan.
The team has also trimmed 11 players from its roster ahead of Sunday's cut deadline. Track each cut down to 53 with our roster tracker!
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons land new starting defensive tackle in trade with Bears
