The Chicago Bears are trading defensive tackle Gervon Dexter to the Atlanta Falcons, as first reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler
, the Falcons are sending a fifth-round pick and cornerback Clark Phillips III to the Bears in exchange for Dexter. He reunites with former Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham, who was hired as the Falcons general manager this offseason.Dexter, 24, started all 17 games last season for Chicago, and he's totaled 13.5 sacks and 42 QB hits in his career. He's in the final year of his rookie contract.
There's been plenty of speculation involving a potential Dexter trade, with Schultz first reporting that the Bears were involved in trade talks earlier this week. Dexter exited
practice earlier this week and didn't travel with the team to Tennessee for their preseason finale, which further fueled rumors.
With Dexter now gone, the Bears have a starting spot to fill alongside veteran Grady Jarrett, and there are plenty of names in the mix. Veteran Neville Gallimore, signed earlier this offseason, rookie Jordan van den Berg and free-agent addition Kentavius Street are some options. Van den Berg got first-team reps in Dexter's absence during practice.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears are trading DT Gervon Dexter to Falcons
