Amidst the backdrop of a challenging 5-12 season for the Chicago Bears, it's easy to skim past those who stood out, but let's not let Gervon Dexter slip through the cracks. This 23-year-old defensive tackle stepped up and showcased his emerging talent with a commendable performance, chalking up five sacks and 39 total pressures. With such a solid showing, you'd expect anticipation and excitement to be bubbling over for what Dexter could bring this year.
Yet, the accolades seem to have bypassed Dexter. In a recent ranking by Pro Football Focus of the NFL's top 32 defensive tackles, the usual suspects like Chris Jones, Dexter Lawrence, Cam Heyward, and Leonard Williams were rightly at the top.
But Gervon Dexter didn't make the cut. Surprisingly, the list included Derrick Brown, who missed the entire season due to a knee injury, and D.J.
Reader, despite his dip in performance last year for Detroit. Talk about head-scratchers.
Dexter isn't ignorant of this oversight—or slight. The Bears' stalwart is fully aware and actively engaged on social media, where he chronicles these perceived snubs.
Far from dampening his spirits, this only fuels his determination. The Bears are certainly backing him.
They've already renewed their commitment to Kyler Gordon with a fresh contract, and there’s hope Dexter will be next in line for such a reward. His potential to become a cornerstone of the Bears' defense is palpable.
As he gears up for another season, the goal is clear: match or exceed last year's performance and compel those "experts" to finally give him the nod he deserves. If the past is any indicator, this young man's quest for recognition is far from over, and it might just be what drives him to even greater heights on the field.
