Ryan Poles made a significant move Sunday morning, sending starting defensive tackle Gervon Dexter from the Chicago Bears to the Atlanta Falcons. But the buzz isn’t about the deal getting done, it’s about the absolutely brutal grade ESPN’s Ben Solak dropped on the Bears’ return: a measly ‘C’ for a starter. Yeah, you read that right.
The Bears’ Head-Scratching Return for a Starter
The Bears are in roster crunch time, needing to get down to 53 players, and Poles definitely had work to do. So they pull the trigger on a trade, sending Dexter to the Falcons and getting Clark Phillips III plus a 2027 fifth-round pick in return. Solak straight-up slammed the Bears with a “C” grade for this, and honestly, it’s tough to argue when you look at what they gave up. Dexter isn’t some scrub; he’s a starting defensive tackle, only 24 years old, and already racked up 13.5 sacks in just three seasons! He’s got real pass rush upside, too. Phillips, on the other hand, is tagged as “nice for depth” by Solak, but definitely “not much of a needle mover when a starter is going back the other way.” With Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson’s injury history, the depth at corner might seem okay, but it doesn’t balance losing a starting DT with that kind of potential.
Why Atlanta Scooped Up a “Steal” and the Bears Got Left Hanging
The reasoning behind that “C” grade for Chicago, and an “A” for Atlanta, is pretty clear. The Bears are giving up a legitimate starting defensive tackle with significant pass rush upside. And what’s that draft pick they got back? Just a fifth-rounder. That’s not exactly “expensive” for the Falcons, who are now sitting pretty. The real kicker here is Dexter’s contract status: he’s a free agent after the 2026 season. If he has the breakout year everyone expects, the Falcons could be looking at a massive payday for him in the offseason, or even bag a fourth, or possibly a third-round compensatory pick if he walks. Solak highlighted this, noting there’s a real chance Dexter pieces together a great fourth NFL season and earns that huge contract. That’s a massive risk for the Bears and a huge reward for the Falcons.
It’s a weak grade for Chicago, no doubt, but it feels fair considering the massive upside Dexter brings to Atlanta versus the value the Bears brought back. Poles still has roster cuts to make, but this Dexter deal is gonna be watched closely all season to see if that “C” grade was truly earned.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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