Bears News: Dexter’s development continues, but losing Pickens stings

Ariana Pensy · Correspondent · 5 hours ago

CHICAGO - There were a lot of expectations for defensive lineman Gervon Dexter going into his second year.

While he made improvements, Dexter feels he has learned a lot under Chicago’s new defensive line coach, Jeremy Garrett.

“I think I’m a lot better. I think I’m obviously older in terms of years. But, I think I’m more mature as far as knowing what’s coming to me or knowing backfield sets and all that stuff and I think my coach, JG, has done a great job at helping me get there in our short time together so far. So, it’s been cool,” Dexter said. “The stance, getting down and getting ready to play is probably the biggest thing. So, if you don’t have a good stance, you probably don’t have a good get-off and nine times out of 10, you won’t have a good play. So, just the start of the play, he’s helped me fix the start and that’s been pretty good for me.”

Roster cutdowns are always a hard time in the NFL, and for Dexter, one of his closest teammates did not make it. Back in 2023, he and Zacch Pickens were part of the same draft class, with Dexter getting drafted in the second round and Pickens in the third round.

However, Pickens has failed to produce during his time in Chicago, and under the new coaching regime, they did not opt to give Pickens a third chance.

“That was a tough one for me just because we came in together. We got drafted together and we was able to see the ups and downs of the league. We did everything. We went through all the moments together,” Dexter said. “I think the tough part is obviously, it’s the business and just seeing that and obviously I’m still grateful that I’m here and I know Zaach will, he still have a lot of career left in him and he’ll be able to keep it going.”

For running back D’Andre Swift, there were also some roster cuts in his room. Fan-favorite from Hard Knocks last season, Ian Wheeler, did not make the roster.

Travis Homer is currently not on the 53-man roster, as he is on injured reserve (IR), although he is designated to return.

Going into the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Mon. Sept. 8 (7:15 p.m. / ABC), Swift is currently one of the only healthy running backs Chicago has as rookie Kyle Monangai is also dealing with injury.

While Swift is not coming off a strong season last year, with head coach Ben Johnson, who he previously worked with in Detroit, and running backs coach Eric Bieniemy, Swift is looking to prove he is capable of leading this running backs group.

“Just excited for the new opportunity with the new staff and the new guys that we have on this offense. I just approach every single day with a ‘Prove it’ mentality. Just trying to get better at something every single day,” Swift said. “With the way Coach EB and Coach Ben and everybody else on the offensive staff is implementing everything, the details and things like that, I just try to be real intentional about everything.”

Back when Swift played with the Detroit Lions, he worked with Johnson when Johnson was the offensive coordinator. Those were some of Swift’s most successful years of his career when he was involved more in the passing game. However, this is his first time working with Bieniemy who has served in a variety of coaching roles throughout his coaching career.

Bieniemy has demonstrated his football IQ and consistently makes an extra effort to ensure his players learn the offense and play at a fast pace.

“He’s just very intelligent, very detailed with his teaching and (he) over coaches things just to make sure you understand,” Dexter said. “He’s communicating very well, (everything) in the offense whether it’s the concepts or he makes sure (you understand) everything so you can play faster.”