Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg (96) makes a tackle against Cincinnati Bengals running back Kentrel Bullock (31) during the second quarter at Paycor Stadium.
Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg (96) makes a tackle against Cincinnati Bengals running back Kentrel Bullock (31) during the second quarter at Paycor Stadium.
The Chicago Bears have made one of the most consequential defensive decisions of their summer. They traded Gervon Dexter to the Atlanta Falcons for cornerback Clark Phillips III and a fifth-round pick. It immediately reshapes Chicago’s interior defensive line and places an enormous spotlight on rookie Jordan van den Berg. Dexter was a productive contributor who started all 17 games last season. He recorded six sacks, making his departure a legitimate gamble rather than a routine roster move. Now, Chicago is betting that van den Berg’s unusual athletic profile and rapid development can help justify the decision.
Setting the stage
DT Gervon Dexter in an Atlanta Falcons uniform. There are also logos for the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons in the background.
DT Gervon Dexter in an Atlanta Falcons uniform. There are also logos for the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons in the background.
In Chicago's preseason games, the coaching staff watched starting units solidify. A significant philosophical shift was also clearly taking place in the defensive tackle room. The Dexter trade opened the door for a new era along the defensive line. The timing matters here. Van den Berg had already begun receiving first-team work alongside veteran Grady Jarrett during Dexter’s absence. That seemingly gave the Bears an early look at what their post-Dexter interior could become.
Unusual athletic profile
At the center of this gamble stands van den Berg. He is a 6-foot-3, 310-pound defensive lineman whose athleticism has quickly become one of the most intriguing stories around Halas Hall. Chicago selected him 213th overall after he recorded 93 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks during his college career.
His background makes the physical profile even more fascinating. Born and raised in South Africa, van den Berg grew up playing rugby and cricket. That rugby foundation remains evident in his playing style. He looks explosive off the snap and comfortable attacking gaps with leverage.
Van den Berg does not need to become Dexter this season. He can become something different. Sure, Dexter provided a powerful interior presence. However, van den Berg offers the potential for more immediate penetration and disruption. His quickness could give the Bears defense another weapon for generating interior pressure.
Behind the gamble
This is where the Bears better be right, though. Dexter started every game last season and was quite effective. His career totals already stood at 13.5 sacks and 42 quarterback hits. Replacing that production is no small assignment. Van den Berg's impact can come through disruption that creates opportunities for teammates. Still, Chicago needs its defensive tackle rotation to remain reliable throughout a 17-game season.
The reward, however, could be substantial. If van den Berg develops into the disruptive interior presence his athletic profile suggests, Chicago could eventually view Dexter’s departure as a calculated personnel win rather than a costly gamble.
Betting on upside
Phillips addresses a need in the secondary, while van den Berg gives Chicago another athletic interior piece. Now, the responsibility falls on the young defensive lineman to make the gamble look smart.
If van den Berg’s athleticism translates into consistent disruption, the Bears may eventually look back at Dexter’s departure as the moment they found the next piece of their defensive puzzle.
If it does not, Chicago will have willingly weakened an established position without an immediate replacement of comparable production.
That is the gamble. And after making it, the Bears better be right about their young defensive “beast.”