FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to acquire defensive tackle Gervon Dexter in a trade with the Chicago Bears.
The Falcons are sending cornerback Clark Phillips and a fifth-round pick in the 2027 NFL draft to the Bears for Dexter, who had a career-high six sacks in 17 games last season. The deal, which was announced Sunday, is pending physicals.
Dexter, who turns 25 in October, is going into the last year of his rookie contract. Atlanta general manager Ian Cunningham was part of Chicago’s front office when the Bears selected Dexter in the second round of the 2023 draft out of Florida.
Due to a hamstring injury, Dexter did not travel with the Bears this past week to Nashville, where they had a joint practice Thursday with the Tennessee Titans before beating them in an exhibition matchup Saturday to close the preseason.
Dexter’s departure clears the way for defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg to take on a more prominent role after an impressive training camp. Van den Berg was a sixth-round pick in April.
Phillips joins a secondary hit hard by injuries. Chicago safety Coby Bryant had surgery on his left knee on Aug. 7, while cornerback Kyler Gordon is working his way back from a calf injury.
Phillips has one interception in 28 career games, including seven starts. A fourth-round pick in 2023, he missed most of last season with a triceps injury.