Dexter on offseason transformation: “Being leaner helps me get off the ball faster” |
LAKE FOREST, I.L. - Defensive lineman Gervon Dexter has made a lot of changes since being drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Florida. In his rookie campaign, at six-foot-six, 312 pounds, Dexter was able to cause a good amount of disruption toward the second half of the second when the game was starting to slow down for him.
He had the raw athletic talent to make some impressive plays, but is looking to gain more knowledge this season to pair with this athletic ability. “Last offseason was more, you just got drafted. You just did combine training. You did all those things and now, boom, here’s the playbook and you kind of get it. But now, this offseason, I already know what defense I’m running. I know the playbook. I know all those things. So now, I can focus on doing the stuff to get my body in shape … knowing where the slide is coming from. So, all of those things, now I’ve heard it several times now. So, now I know exactly where it’s coming from,” Dexter said. “Last year, I would win some one-on-ones just because of my athletic ability and now, I’m going to win some one-on-ones because I know when I’m getting the slide. I know when I’m getting the turn protection and so, now I’m able to use my athletic ability as well as my knowledge for the game. So, putting those two together is going to allow me to win.” Part of changing his game going into his second season has also been changing his body. Dexter is more lean as a result of changing his diet and offseason training regimen. He described his training as preparing for a marathon, running up hills and doing track. Even though training camp is just beginning, Dexter is already noticing how this change is benefitting him as a player. “I lost some body fat. I gained some lean mass and then just those numbers show with a defensive tackle running with the defensive ends,” Dexter said. “I feel like I can move around easier. I can go longer. So, I feel a lot different.” Another factor that will surely benefit this second-year player is having an experienced veteran like edge rusher Montez Sweat in the same position room to learn from throughout all of training camp and for the entire duration of the season. When Chicago acquired Sweat from the Washington Commanders, it opened up opportunities for other players on the line, including Dexter who had his best game of his young career against the Atlanta Falcons when he recorded 1.5 sacks. “I think having a guy like Montez in my room highlights that,” Dexter said. “I get to see that in my room, two chairs, three chairs next to me. So, having a guy like that that you can look to right there and he’s at where you want to be at, that helps you as well.” With the progress that Dexter has made, he is now expected to be a starter for the Bears defense next season. Because he is now lighter and faster, as well as the knowledge he gained his rookie season, Dexter feels he will be able to play the position better than he would have last year. “Being leaner helps me get off the ball faster. Being leaner helps me penetrate faster,” Dexter said. “So, a lot of those things that now, the three technique role, I can do a little easier because I’m able to, my body is allowing me to do.” Chicago has a rich history of defensive stars from the numerous players on the 85 Bears like Richard Dent and Mike Singletary to before their time with Dick Butkus and more current with Brian Urlacher. All of them are in the Hall of Fame, and will officially be joined by defensive tackle Steve “Mongo” McMichael before Chicago plays in their first preseason game, in the Hall of Fame game, against the Houston Texans on Thurs. Aug. 1 (7 p.m./ABC). Dexter has taken note of the history of elite defenders Chicago has had and has made it his goal to join those players in Canton, which is why he decided to dedicate so much time to improving his body. “I’ve noticed that the good ones can do it one or two plays. But, the ones that end up, that go down as great ones are consistent and being able to play one through fourth quarter,” Dexter said. “I set my goal (as) soon as I got here that I wanted to have my name on those walls when you walk in. So, that’s been the same goal for me and I knew that (stuff) was going to come with it and it’s been the same for me.”
