The Chicago Bears struggled significantly with their pass-rush capabilities throughout the previous NFL season, ranking among the league’s least effective units in pressuring opposing quarterbacks. This defensive weakness has created urgency for the organization to bolster its front seven rather than risk key contributors departing through free agency.
Yet, recent analysis suggests the team may soon face the departure of one of its most productive interior disruptors.
Analyst Moe Moton from Bleacher Report recently forecasted that defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. could be headed elsewhere after the upcoming campaign. In his June 26 piece, Moton outlined expectations that Dexter would secure a substantial pay increase on the open market next spring.
This projection highlights growing concerns about Chicago’s ability to retain emerging talent on the defensive line.
“The Chicago Bears should get ahead of Gervon Dexter Sr.’s 2027 market with an early extension, but that may not be in the works this offseason. They haven’t engaged in contract talks with him, and he’ll likely play out the final year of his rookie deal,” Moton wrote.
“Dexter’s pass-rushing strides will make him much richer next year. … As the second-best pass-rusher behind Montez Sweat on Chicago’s roster in the previous two years, Dexter will cash in on an extension or a lucrative new deal elsewhere in 2027.”
Despite these promising developments in pass rushing, Dexter faced challenges stopping the run during the last season. Advanced metrics from Pro Football Focus placed him below average in run defense, as the Bears’ front allowed opposing ball carriers an average of 5.0 yards per attempt. Such vulnerabilities exposed gaps in the overall defensive scheme, even as other areas showed improvement.
In pass-rush situations, however, Dexter stood out positively. He placed 20th among 134 qualifying defensive tackles in pass-rush efficiency for 2025, accumulating 38 total pressures (19th league-wide) and 25 hurries (27th). His six sacks trailed only Montez Sweat’s total of 10, according to ESPN data, underscoring his value as a complementary force alongside established veterans.
Selected in the second round of the 2023 draft from the University of Florida, Dexter has one season left on his rookie agreement valued at $6.7 million. Upon its expiration, he will enter unrestricted free agency with considerable leverage if his trajectory continues upward.
Moton projected that strong play in 2026 could position Dexter for annual compensation exceeding $25 million on a fresh contract.
“Currently, the top six interior defensive linemen are earning at least $25.5 million per year (h/t Over the Cap),” Moton wrote. “Even if Dexter just maintains [his] production in a prominent role on the defensive line, he could command a deal north of $25 million annually when teams tend to overpay in free agency.”
Equating Dexter’s potential earnings to those of established stars like Jeffrey Simmons of the Tennessee Titans or Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs represents an optimistic outlook. Nevertheless, the underlying logic holds merit: sustained productivity would force the Bears into difficult financial negotiations in 2027. Team executives must weigh whether committing significant resources aligns with broader roster-building priorities.
Adding complexity to the situation is Chicago’s recent investment in veteran Grady Jarrett. The club allocated nearly $43 million over three years for his services entering the prior offseason, yet Jarrett failed to perform consistently enough to justify the deal in 2025.
At age 33, another underwhelming season could prompt the Bears to release him next March, freeing up approximately $13.5 million in cap space.
Such savings from a potential Jarrett departure might directly support efforts to re-sign Dexter. In the meantime, the organization added depth through the draft, selecting athletic defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg from Georgia Tech in the sixth round. While rookie contracts offer cost-controlled flexibility, van den Berg’s transition to the NFL has included early hurdles, making an immediate impact uncertain.
If van den Berg develops sufficiently to contribute in the rotation by next year, it could ease pressure on salary cap allocations for the interior line. This scenario would allow Chicago more breathing room to retain homegrown talents like Dexter without sacrificing other areas of roster improvement.
For now, the Bears must navigate a delicate balance between immediate performance needs and long-term financial strategy.
Overall, the coming season represents a pivotal test for Chicago’s defensive front. Success in pass rushing could elevate players like Dexter to premium contracts, while shortcomings might accelerate turnover. How the franchise manages these contract situations in the months ahead will likely shape its defensive identity for years to come.
