Getting respect in the NFL seems like a straightforward process. You get on the field, play well, and produce, and the acknowledgment follows, right? No. Nothing is ever that simple in this league. The truth is it takes two things along with that other stuff to get recognition: team success and luck. If your team isn't winning, people don't pay much attention to your exploits. Then there is the simple fact of making the right play at the right time, so the media gives you the close-up you deserve. Plenty of Chicago Bears have felt this sting of ignorance in past years. Gervon Dexter is the latest.
By every metric, the young defensive tackle was great in his second season last year. He finished with five sacks and 19 quarterback hits despite missing two games. Those are standout numbers for somebody at his position. Yet nobody seems to talk about him. Never was that clearer than in ESPN's latest defensive tackle rankings via Jeremy Fowler. He polled several executives, coaches, and scouts to determine who the best are going into 2025. Not only did Dexter fail to crack the top 10 or honorable mentions. He didn't receive a single vote.
Also receiving votes: Kenny Clark (Green Bay Packers), Alim McNeill (Detroit Lions), Ed Oliver (Buffalo Bills), Daron Payne (Washington Commanders), Calijah Kancey (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Osa Odighizuwa (Dallas Cowboys)
As if Gervon Dexter needed more motivation.
It has become evident since last year that the defensive tackle seems to take extra pleasure whenever somebody disrespects him. He channels all the negative energy on social media into the drive to work harder. That explains why he showed up to spring practices in excellent shape. Videos keep surfacing of him constantly training. He knows this is a big year for him. Another strong season all but guarantees a fat new contract by next winter. If the Bears can finally start winning some football games, that might be the final breakthrough to get Gervon Dexter noticed on a national stage. He is already fast becoming a core piece of the new defense. Others will find out soon enough.
