The Falcons went into the final stretch of the offseason with a glaring problem on defense, and they finally found a fix in the most unexpected place. Atlanta’s Monday trade for Bears defensive tackle Gervon Dexter plugs the kind of hole that can wreck a front seven if it stays open too long, giving Jeff Ulbrich’s group the kind of interior presence it badly needed.
It was a jolt of a deal, especially because Chicago gave up a young lineman who had already started to make real noise. Moe Moton of Bleacher Report offered one possible explanation for why the Bears moved on so early, writing, "It's also possible Bears general manager Ryan Poles had no intention of giving Dexter an extension during or after this season.
The ascending defensive tackle is in the final year of his rookie deal. Still, it's a surprise to see the Bears part ways with one of their most productive defensive linemen a year before they had to make a decision on his contract."
However Chicago came to that decision, Atlanta gets the benefit. Dexter, a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, moved into the starting lineup in 2024 and has grown into one of the better pass-rushing defensive tackles in the league.
Over 32 starts across the past two seasons, Dexter has compiled 11 sacks, 30 quarterback hits, 45 pressures and 10 tackles for loss. He also posted a 72.7 pass-rushing grade from Pro Football Focus last season, which placed him 20th among 134 qualifying interior defensive linemen.
With Dexter now in the mix, the Falcons’ most obvious remaining need is at wide receiver. Even there, Atlanta may choose patience first and see what Jahan Dotson does as the projected WR2 before deciding whether another move is necessary.
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Falcons QB Plan May Already Be Telling Fans Everything About Penix
The Falcons quarterback picture is already carrying more intrigue than most teams would want this early, and Michael Penix Jr. remains at the center of it. According to NFL Networks Cameron Wolfe, Atlanta intends to get a real look at Penix at some point so it can better evaluate him ahead of the 2027 NFL Draft, even if Tua Tagovailoa opens the season against the Steelers. For a team that has spent the offseason trying to settle its future under center, that plan says plenty about how seriously the Falcons are weighing their long-term options.
Penixs path back is also being handled with care after the ACL injury he suffered in 2025, which could shape how the early-season rotation unfolds. Atlanta has not decided who will start in 2026, and both Penix and Tagovailoa remain in the conversation, so the next few months may be less about one game than about how the organization maps out its quarterback timeline. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Took A Risk Up Front They Could Regret Fast
The Falcons defensive front has been in flux, and the latest roster shuffle showed just how thin the margin can get. General manager Ian Cunningham said waiving Zach Harrison to make room for three waiver claims was a difficult decision, a reminder that Atlanta is trying to patch together depth while injuries and suspensions continue to hit the group up front.
Harrison did not stay away long, returning to the Falcons on the practice squad, where his presence still matters for a line trying to hold together through the turbulence. Even without a spot on the active roster, he gives Atlanta veteran leadership and another body to lean on, which makes the original move look less like a clean cut and more like a risk the team may have to manage all over again. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Practice Squad Move May Be Hinting At Another O-Line Decision
With Kyle Hinton and Kam Dewberry both dealing with injuries, the Falcons added another body to the interior offensive line mix by signing Josh Thompson to the practice squad. Thompson, an undrafted free agent out of LSU, spent the summer with the Kansas City Chiefs and now steps into one of Atlantas remaining practice squad openings as the team tries to keep some depth around a position group that has already been tested.
The move is straightforward on its face, but it also naturally raises questions about what comes next for the Falcons up front. Practice squad additions are often about coverage and contingency, and with guard depth suddenly thin, this one feels like it could be tied to a short-term roster adjustment if the injuries linger. For now, though, Atlanta is simply making sure it has another interior lineman available while the picture sorts itself out. [Read more 🡒]