The Atlanta Falcons locked in another member of their young core on Wednesday, signing defensive tackle Gervon Dexter to a reported four-year, $78 million contract extension that includes $46.5 million in guaranteed money.
Dexter, 24, was acquired by the Falcons via trade with the Chicago Bears two weeks before the start of the season. The former second-round pick has the NFL's highest QB pressure rate among defensive tackles through the first three games.
"Gervon is a young, ascending talent whose power, disruption and impact along the defensive line are difficult to find," Falcons GM Ian Cunningham said of the extension. "What's been just as impressive is the growth he's shown off the field as a man and a father."
Falcons fans were happy to see
Dexter rewarded, even after just three games. Meanwhile, Bears fans are still salty over not getting compensatory picks when Atlanta hired Ian Cunningham as GM.
With Matt Ryan serving as the Falcons' president of football, Cunningham is not considered the primary football executive.
NFL world reacts to Gervon Dexter extension
Here's how those around the NFL reacted to the Falcons' latest contract extension.
Falcons GM Ian Cunningham helped draft Gervon Dexter in Chicago, traded for him as GM in Atlanta, and now extends him. https://t.co/UlwBrwMd80
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 30, 2026
He's been really good. Our middle Dline has been light years better.
— Doc Holiday (@DocHoliday0276) September 30, 2026
Gervon Dexter has been getting after QBs this season 👀 https://t.co/8hjrEJOJA3
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) September 30, 2026
But Ian Cunningham doesn’t make draft picks or trades. He doesn’t authorize contract extensions. Right @NFL? Right @nflcommish? That job is @M_Ryan02. Right? #Bears #DaBears got screwed #compensatorypicks
— William Wray Toylett (@WToylett) September 30, 2026
Bears fans tryna hit us with a “gotcha” just bc yall couldn’t afford him
— vaz 🪓 (@Vazqii1) September 30, 2026
So is he GM or not pic.twitter.com/vpB16piGBt
— ©️ (@planetzr3) September 30, 2026
Glad he got paid but we were never paying him this. He was a massive issue on our team. He’s obviously a much better scheme fit with the Falcons and I wish him well.
— Colston Lovelands Burner (@LovelandsBurner) September 30, 2026
Remember fellas One man trash is another mans treasure go where you accepted and where you are cherished and accepted ‼️congrats to Gervon Dexter
— Big Cam (@TTS_CAM3) September 30, 2026
This is actually massive for a player who just got a fresh start after rocky contract talks elsewhere. why don't more teams reward dominant interior pressure immediately. maybe I'm dumb, but why wouldn't a franchise secure a high-upside defensive tackle the second they know he…
— Keeky 🍒 (@itskeekyx) September 30, 2026
A contract extension was not specifically part of the trade, but Dexter quickly showed his worth. https://t.co/oHGUDEQCQ6
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 30, 2026
Through three games, Gervon Dexter Sr. and Brandon Dorlus have totaled 27 pressures, the most by an interior defensive line duo in the league thus far this season.
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) September 30, 2026
Now with Dexter having agreed to terms to stay with the Falcons four more years + Dorlus with this year and next… pic.twitter.com/vxDkv4ldeF
The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms with Gervon Dexter Sr., whom they traded for just before the season and has made a big impact so far.
— Will McFadden (@willmcfadden) September 30, 2026
GM Ian Cunningham: “Gervon is a young, ascending talent whose power, disruption and impact along the defensive line are difficult…
Since the Falcons played on Thursday night, they had a few extra days to get Dexter's contract done. The team will return to action in Week 4 for a Monday Night Football showdown against the New Orleans Saints.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: NFL world reacts to Falcons DT Gervon Dexter's $78M extension
