One thing that is fully guaranteed when a new coaching staff takes over is things won’t stay the same. Players who thought they had a firm grasp on starting jobs now sit on uncertain ground. Some may not even last on the roster. If there was anybody who seemed relatively safe going into this year, it was Gervon Dexter. The big defensive tackle had a strong second season for the Chicago Bears, posting five sCacks and 19 quarterback hits. This year felt like a great chance to build on that success.
It appears plans have changed. According to Adam Jahns of CHGO, new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has no plans to keep Dexter at his original three-technique position. That will be taken over by former Pro Bowler Grady Jarrett, likely with rookie Shemar Turner backing him up.
It starts with fitting in Dennis Allen’s defense. He’s no longer the Bears’ starter at three-technique defensive tackle, a role that he was drafted for in Matt Eberflus’ defense. His selection was a projection based on glimpses he showed at Florida. His transition required work and time. That’s over now.
This raises the obvious question: What happens now? Initial assumptions would be that Dexter moves to nose tackle. He played that position in college and might be a good alternative to Andrew Billings, who is in his 30s and coming off a torn pectoral. However, there is a growing belief that Allen has different plans for him, ones that involve shifting outside.
Gervon Dexter fits the defensive end profile of this scheme.
Allen showed in New Orleans that he likes bigger defensive ends with great length. Cameron Jordan is a perfect example, standing 6’4 and 290 lbs. Dayo Odeyingbo, the Bears’ recent free agent signing, also fits that profile at 6’6, 286 lbs. The key with Gervon Dexter is whether he can handle playing heavier. He was last listed at 312 lbs. That is considerable for a 4-3 defensive end, even with his significant length and power. Perhaps Allen will use him as more of a Swiss Army knife, moving inside and outside looking for favorable matchups. Truth be told, this decision makes some sense considering the Bears have depth questions at edge. Having Dexter rotating with Odeyingbo, Montez Sweat, and Austin Booker is at least intriguing.
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