Chicago Bears’ Gervon Dexter trade opens massive rookie opportunity

The Chicago Bears took a major gamble when they traded defensive tackle Gervon Dexter to the Atlanta Falcons. But Chicago did so knowing the depth they currently have on the roster.

Dexter has racked up 11 sacks over his last two seasons, showing he can get after the quarterback. Still, he didn’t fit what defensive coordinator Dennis Allen runs on defense. With free agency looming anyway, the Bears decided to move on.

Still, Chicago now has a large hole to fill. Dexter may not have fit the scheme, but he has been a starter for the past two years. The Bears’ defensive line is sure to look much, much different in 2026.

But the franchise wouldn’t make that deal if they weren’t confident in their available options. Namely, rookie Jordan van den Berg should see a massive bump in playing time.

Chicago Bears putting faith into Jordan van den Berg

For starters, van den Berg won’t just be handed a starting role. Grady Jarrett is locked into one defensive tackle spot, while veterans Neville Gallimore and Kentavius Street look poised to fill Dexter’s shoes. But as the season goes on, van den Berg seems likely to earn more opportunities.

The sixth-round rookie has been getting plenty of hype throughout training camp. In short order, he has already gained a strong supporter in head coach Ben Johnson, via Courtney Cronin of ESPN.

“He’s a beast. He’s an incredible athlete,” Johnson said. “He’s still learning the game of football to a degree, and yet it’s amazing what he brings to the table.”

Allen shared those same sentiments.

“When you start off with the [third-stringers] and then all of a sudden you show up and you catch our attention, then we’ve got to find ways to get you some reps with the twos, and if you continue to catch our attention, then we’ve got to find some ways to get you some reps with the ones because that’s really how you evaluate what you have in the player,” Allen said.

As a sixth-round pick, van den Berg will truly have to prove himself. There’s a reason he fell that part. But now the Bears believe they have found a diamond in the rough. They wouldn’t move on from Dexter if they weren’t confident in van den Berg’s development and their overall DT setup.

It is still quite the gamble, Dexter was an established starter on the line. But the Bears are building their offense in Johnson’s vision and their defense in Allen’s. When it comes to defensive tackle, van den Berg has offered everything the coaching staff has wanted to see. As he continues to develop, he’ll only become a more frequent contributor in the defensive tackle rotation.

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