Falcons Acquire Gervon Dexter Sr. for Clark Phillips III and Fifth-Round Pick

The Atlanta Falcons traded cornerback Clark Phillips III and a fifth-round pick to the Chicago Bears for defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. on Sunday morning.

Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham executed a trade on Sunday morning to acquire defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. from the Chicago Bears. In exchange for the 6-foot-6, 326-pound interior lineman, Atlanta sent cornerback Clark Phillips III and a fifth-round draft selection to Chicago. Dexter, a 24-year-old former second-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft, arrives in Atlanta during the final season of his rookie contract. During his two-season tenure as a starter in Chicago, he recorded a combined total of 11 sacks.

Roster Impact and Defensive Line Statistics

The Falcons prioritized interior defensive line improvements after struggling against the run during the previous season. Dexter joins an offseason influx of talent that includes trade acquisition Maason Smith and free-agent signings Da'Shawn Hand and Chris Williams. However, Hand has been sidelined from practice since suffering a leg injury early in training camp. Dexter himself is currently managing a hamstring injury sustained during a practice session last Tuesday. Due to the ailment, he did not travel for Chicago’s joint practice or the preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday night.

Clark Phillips III, who moves to the Bears in the deal, was a fourth-round selection by Atlanta in 2023. The 24-year-old cornerback started seven games across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, primarily playing on the outside. His availability was limited last year due to a triceps injury that cost him the majority of the season. The trade occurred on cut-down day as both franchises finalized their active rosters for the upcoming campaign.

Chicago Bears Interior Depth Adjustments

Chicago head coach Ben Johnson oversaw a significant overhaul of the defensive front this offseason. Before trading Dexter, the Bears signed free agents Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street, and James Lynch to bolster their depth. The team also utilized a sixth-round draft pick to select defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg out of Georgia Tech. Van den Berg has recently earned first-team repetitions after receiving praise from the coaching staff over the last six weeks of preparation.

Coach Johnson described the rookie van den Berg as "a beast" and an "incredible athlete," noting that while the player is still learning the game, he brings unique physical traits to the table. The Bears' decision to move Dexter follows their heavy investment in veteran free agents at the same position. Ian Cunningham, who now leads the Falcons' front office, previously served as the Bears' assistant general manager when the organization originally drafted Dexter out of the second round.

Transaction Details and Personnel History

The trade was first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler on August 30, 2026. This move reunites Dexter with Cunningham, the executive responsible for his initial entry into the NFL. The Falcons' defensive unit seeks to integrate Dexter’s physical presence to anchor a line that has faced recent health setbacks. While Phillips provides Chicago with a young option in the secondary, his departure leaves Atlanta with a vacancy at the outside corner position he occupied during his seven career starts. The fifth-round pick included in the package further increases Chicago's draft capital for future seasons as they transition their defensive interior toward a combination of veteran signings and rookie contributors like van den Berg.