The Falcons brought in an experienced defensive lineman to help bolster a unit that needed reinforcements.
They acquired Gervon Dexter Sr. from the Bears on Sunday in exchange for cornerback Clark Phillips III and a fifth-round pick, according to ESPN.
Dexter, whom the Bears drafted in the second round in 2023, started all 19 games for the team last year between the regular season and playoffs, recording 48 tackles, six sacks and two fumble recoveries.
Across his three seasons in the league, Dexter, 24, accumulated 13.5 sacks.
Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham, whom Atlanta hired this past offseason, was in the Bears front office when they drafted Dexter, who is entering the final season of his rookie contract.
Listed at 6-foot-6 and 326 pounds. Dexter now brings a huge presence to a Falcons unit that gave up 4.6 yards per carry last year — eighth-worst in the NFL.
The Falcons drafted Phillips in the fourth round in 2023.
He played 27 games across his first two years in the league, but he was limited to just one game last year due to a triceps injury and was competing for a backup role in training camp this year.
