The Chicago Bears are gearing up for a hyped 2026 season, where they’re looking to build off their impressive first season under head coach Ben Johnson, which included an NFC North title and a wild-card playoff win. While they found success in 2025, it’s a brand new slate for this Bears team following an offseason of change, including the departures of key veterans and the additions of new veterans and exciting rookies.
The work begins in training camp, where Johnson will put his team through the wringer with the intent to prepare them for the 2026 season. Every day from now right up through training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2026 season. We’ll recap their 2025 season, look ahead to 2026 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.
Next up at No. 14 is defensive tackle Gervon Dexter, who’s entering a contract year and will prove key along the defensive interior alongside Grady Jarrett. Can Dexter elevate the defensive line and prove worthy of an extension?
Background
Position: Defensive tackle
Age: 24
Experience: 4th season
2026 cap hit: $2.13 million
2025 recap
Dexter was the best defensive tackle on the Bears last season, which doesn’t say a whole lot given there was a lot to be desired at the position. In 2025, Dexter tallied a career-best six sacks, ending the season in total pressures (22) and hits (11) along to go along with 26 hurries and two fumble recoveries, playing in all 17 regular-season games and two postseason contests. That’s the kind of production Chicago needs from its interior linemen to provide a boost for the pass rush. His best game came in Week 6 against the Washington Commanders, where he played a key role on defense with 1.5 sacks in the Bears’ 25-24 comeback win. Dexter wasn’t elite by any means last season, but he still had his moments.
Importance in 2026
The Bears didn’t address the defensive line in a significant way this offseason, putting the onus on the players currently on the roster, including Dexter. While a lot has been made about the pass rush struggles last season, totaling just 35, seventh fewest, Chicago also struggled mightily against the run. They allowed 131.4 rushing yards per game, which ranked 26th in the league. Dexter faces a make-or-break season in the final year of his contract, so a breakout year would prove to be beneficial both for the defense and his future. If Dexter can unlock his potential as an interior pass rusher, it would certainly open things up for the Bears’ secondary and help elevate the defense.
Big Question: Can Gervon Dexter make his case for a contract extension?
At this point, Dexter hasn’t done enough to warrant a contract extension from the Bears. So unlike his draft mate right tackle Darnell Wright, who Chicago will look to lock up before the season, Dexter is going to need to prove his worth in 2026. There were high hopes for Dexter last season when he was paired with veteran Grady Jarrett, but both underwhelmed along a struggling defensive line. If Dexter wants to play long term with the Bears, he’s going to need to have a breakout season and show he can be an impact player along the defensive interior.
30 Most Important Bears of 2026
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 30 Most Important Bears of 2026: Gervon Dexter (No. 14)
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri and Brendan Sugrue, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Alyssa Barbieri and Brendan Sugrue, Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
