Sources: Falcons add Gervon Dexter Sr. in trade with Bears

The Atlanta Falcons will try to shore up their defensive line with the acquisition of Gervon Dexter Sr. from the Chicago Bears on cut-down day.

The Falcons traded cornerback Clark Phillips III and a fifth-round draft pick to the Bears on Sunday morning for Dexter, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler.

Dexter, 24, was a starter the last two seasons in Chicago, accumulating 11 sacks combined during that period. He was a second-round pick by the Bears in 2023.

New Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham was the assistant GM of the Bears when they selected Dexter, who is now in the final season of his rookie contract.

The Falcons struggled against the run last season and have made it a priority to improve the interior of their defensive line. They traded for Maason Smith and signed Da'Shawn Hand and Chris Williams in the offseason.

But Hand, who was expected to be an impact player, suffered a leg injury early in training camp and has not yet returned to practice. The 6-foot-6, 326-pound Dexter brings a big, physical presence to the position.

Dexter suffered a hamstring injury during Tuesday's practice, according to Bears coach Ben Johnson. He did not travel with the team to Tennessee for Chicago's joint practice and preseason finale Saturday night against the Titans.

Phillips, 24, was a fourth-round pick by the Falcons in 2023. He started seven games in 2023 and 2024 as mostly an outside corner, but missed most of last season with a triceps injury.

Chicago used ample resources to shore up its interior depth this offseason by signing free agents Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street and James Lynch. The Bears' sole defensive line addition in the draft came in the sixth round, when they selected defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg from Georgia Tech.

The rookie earned high praise from coaches over the last six weeks as he worked his way into regular first-team reps.

"He's a beast," Johnson said of van den Berg. "This guy ... he's an incredible athlete. He's still learning the game of football to a degree, and yet it's amazing what he brings to the table."

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