NFL insider Jordan Schultz revealed last week that teams have inquired with the Chicago Bears about the availability of defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. via trade.
“Sources: Teams have inquired with the #Bears about trading for DT Gervon Dexter, as the free-agent DT market and draft class are not deep. The 24-year-old started all 17 games last season and has 13.5 career sacks and 42 QB hits. He is entering the final year of his rookie contract.”
This came as a surprise, considering defensive tackle is one of the biggest needs on the roster, and Dexter is coming off a career-best six sacks, 11 quarterback hits, and 39 total pressures last season.
However, Bears insider Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune has shut down any trade rumors involving the 25-year-old DT.
Brad Biggs Shuts Down Gervon Dexter Sr. Trade Rumors
In a recent appearance on 104.3 The Score, Biggs made things clear on the trade rumors surrounding Dexter.
“They’re not taking calls on him, they’re not making calls on him. I’m reporting, nothings happening on that. I don’t want to speculate on other people’s work, but they got two defensive tackles under contract. They’re not looking to move one. Gervon Dexter will be with the Bears next season.”
The Bears would be in big trouble if they went into free agency with 33-year-old Grady Jarrett as the only defensive tackle under contract.
“They’ve got two defensive tackles under contract. They’re not looking to move one.”
Schultz mentioned that teams were looking into Dexter’s potential availability, but Biggs added that the Bears have made it clear he’s not available.
Dexter is heading into the final year of his rookie deal, so the Bears will have start coming up with an extension for him. He’s improved each season since being drafted in the second round back in 2023, and enjoyed a career year under first-year defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
Biggs Lists One DT Prospect to Keep An Eye On
GettyPeter Woods of the Clemson Tigers speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
The Bears will have a chance to bring in reinforcements at defensive tackle during free agency, but the best long-term path is drafting a difference maker at DT in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Biggs listed Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods as a name to keep an eye on in the first round.
“There’s a serious need at both positions (defensive end & defensive tackle), but if you’re ordering one over the other, tackle has to be on top. Considering it’s a deep draft for edge rushers — and not as deep at tackle — this is a good place to start when wondering about the No. 25 pick. Some college evaluators I spoke with believe there could be a good clump of defensive linemen on the board when the Bears’ pick comes around. The best fit for Dennis Allen might be Clemson’s Peter Woods. Allen wants a disruptive guy in the middle. It’s why the team signed Jarrett a year ago and why it initially played Turner on the inside.”
Pairing Woods with Dexter could create one of the more underrated and young DT duos in the NFL, and Woods shared his confidence in himself during an interview at the NFL Combine.
“I’m a game disrupter. I’m the type of guy … that causes offensive coordinators to lose sleep at night planning for me. You don’t really know where I’m going to line up, you don’t know where I’m going to be, but you’ve got to respect it and you’ve got to know where I’m at at all times.”
Woods won’t be the only defensive tackle the Bears do their homework on, but if he’s there at No. 25, he’ll be a major boost to a defensive line that desperately needs playmakers.
Bears Insider Shuts Down Gervon Dexter Sr. Trade Rumors