The Chicago Bears defense has controlled training camp for the past two weeks despite missing several starters, which should tell you a lot about its talent. They have studs at every level. Montez Sweat is at defensive end. Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards at linebacker. Jaylon Johnson at cornerback. However, by the sounds of things, the real MVP of early camp is Gervon Dexter. The former 2nd round pick out of Florida had a strong finish to his rookie season last year and reportedly arrived at Halas Hall slimmed down with more muscle mass.
Based on updates from practice, he’s putting that newfound quickness to good use. The Bears offensive line hasn’t had an answer for him at times. Whenever they run in his direction or try to throw the ball, he’s finding his way into the backfield. Bears insider Josh Schrock confirmed this on NBC Sports Chicago. The fact Dexter is doing it without Sweat, who is nursing an injury, is telling. Coaches see a completely different player.
Gervon Dexter literally looks like a new player this year, thanks to his reshaped body. After a few weeks of camp, Dexter also looks like a new three-technique tackle.
Dexter has been spotted in the backfield more often this training camp than he was at the same time last year. He’s picked up the slack with Montez Sweat and Andrew Billings sidelined over the past handful of practices and he’s been a noticeable disruptor in both the run and pass games…
…One of the biggest adjustments when moving from a two-gapper to a one-gapper is the “get off,” and that was one of Dexter’s pain points last season. When the ball was snapped, it took a bit longer for Dexter to “get off” the ball, or make his move into a lineman and into the backfield. This camp, coaches see improvement in that area.
A lot of people were skeptical when the Bears drafted him last year. They saw a player who was big and strong but didn’t have any indicators of a true pass disruptor. Head coach Matt Eberflus and GM Ryan Poles felt differently. They saw an elite athlete who’d been coached to play a different style of line play that never allowed him to attack. With enough time, patience, and work, he had the capability to become far more than what he was in college. There were glimpses of it last season.
Now, Gervon Dexter isn’t overwhelmed by the system or the speed of the NFL. He’s in professional shape. Everything is lined up for him to have a breakout year. That is without mentioning the arrival of defensive coordinator Eric Washington, a renowned line coach with a specialty for defensive tackles. He should be a big help as well. Dexter has done everything possible to get better. The only thing left to do is play the games. Translating it is always the final challenge.
