Bears & Falcons Make Surprise Trade for Key DT Starter, NFL Rumors on Full Return Before Roster Cuts

The Chicago Bears are trading defensive tackle Gervon Dexter to the Atlanta Falcons for cornerback Clark Phillips III and a fifth-round draft pick, according to Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter of ESPN and NFL Network.

Dexter started all 17 games for the Bears in 2025, finishing with 44 combined tackles and six sacks. He's entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the Bears clearly had reservations about extending him beyond 2026.

His exit also comes after coach Ben Johnson heaped a ton of praise on sixth-round draft pick Jordan van den Berg. He called van den Berg "an incredible athlete" earlier this week.

"He's still learning the game of football to a degree, and yet it's amazing what he brings to the table," Johnson told reporters . "He's been the same guy every single day. Smile on his face. He loves football. He loves the process. I haven't seen it yet, but someone told me he was mic'ed up in that first game and he's coming to the sideline, he's talking to [defensive tackle] Grady [Jarrett] about the things that are happening on the field. Grady's helping him, giving him tidbits here and there. It's a good thing to see right now. He's firmly in the mix."

It appears van den Berg will be occupying a big role along the defensive line.

Phillips brings some depth to the secondary, though he's coming off a season in which a triceps injury limited him to one game.

The Falcons, meanwhile, are getting an immediate upgrade to their defensive front. They signed Da'Shawn Hand to a team-friendly one-year deal , but he has missed time this offseason through injury.

General manager Ian Cunningham has some added familiarity with Dexter as well. He was in Chicago's front office when the Bears drafted him in 2023.