Ryan Poles breaks silence on Chicago Bears’ Gervon Dexter trade

The Chicago Bears shook up their defensive line in a massive way by trading Gervon Dexter to the Atlanta Falcons. For general manager Ryan Poles, it was time for the Bears to make a move.

Chicago is building their defense in coordinator Dennis Allen’s vision. As they looked around their roster, the Bears felt they had better options to fit his scheme. Dexter then became expendable, as Poles stuck to the franchise’s plan for their defensive line, via his Tuesday press conference.

“That deal was more about timing than anything. Timing and fit” Poles said. “We had some young guys really pushing, that came in this year with Jordan and Loving. They did a really good job and felt it was a good fit as we move forward.”

“It really has to do with that room. That room was highly competitive, young guys started making a push when we got to camp. Obviously with Grady, Street and Neville. The timing made sense for us. It was about shaping the room and how well those young guys were doing. We feel really good and confident in our talent level and depth at the position.”

Ryan Poles believes in Bears’ defensive line 

While Dexter may not have been a fit for Allen’s scheme, he was still a two-year starter for the franchise. He put up 11 sacks over his last two seasons. Trading him away is a gamble, and an indictment about how Chicago feels about their roster.

On the veteran side, Grady Jarrett, Neville Gallimore and Kentavius Street will all be asked to step up. Jarrett is entering his second year with the team while Gallimore and Street were both added in free agency. Each were handpicked and must prove why they’re a strong fit in Chicago.

Poles felt more confident in the trade after seeing the rise of rookies Jordan van den Berg and Jayden Loving. A sixth-rounder and UDFA respectively, they had an uphill battle to make the roster, let alone leave an immediate impact.

But after the Dexter deal, the rookies have been thrown into the fire. It’s a plan Poles stands behind and thinks will work in the Bears’ favor.

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