The Atlanta Falcons kicked off roster release day (more like days) with a bang by acquiring Gervon Dexter from the Chicago Bears. And all it took for them to get the deal done was to give up Clark Phillips III and a fifth-round pick--a pick they're likely going to get back due to the comp pick formula.
On paper, it's a fantastic move for the Falcons, especially after they surprisingly released Zach Harrison. He and Brandon Dorlus should be one of the better pass-rushing DT duos in the NFL--so it's hard to be surprised that Atlanta is getting praised for this deal--even from the most unlikely places.
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Gerald McCoy made a career out of destroying opposing offenses as a defensive tackle--and he was especially a problem for the Falcons. But he was willing to put his NFC South biases aside just this once, taking to Twitter to praise them for landing Dexter, calling it a "win-win" for both the player and the team--despite it igniting Zach Harrison's release.
Falcons getting Dexter a win win. He gets to be closer to home and they get a quality DT. He’ll get to play a game back in Florida vs the Bucs. That’s good for him man. Falcons yall got a good one. Fun fact my oldest son played basketball against him when he was with…
— Gerald McCoy (@Geraldini93) August 30, 2026
Gerald McCoy is a fan of the Atlanta Falcons acquiring Gervon Dexter
Mind you this is a six-time Pro Bowler who spent the majority of his career with the Buccaneers. He should hate the Dirty Birds more than the vast majority of people on this planet, but he's such a fan of Gervon Dexter that he wants to give his ex-NFC South rivals credit for pulling off a complete heist. l
He even revealed this his oldest son played against the newest Falcon in basketbal back when they were both in middle school, but Gerald McCoy thought Dexter would've been a monster on the football field--and it turns out he was right.
McCoy seems to be happy that the 24-year-old--a Florida native and former Gator-- gets to play closer to home in Atlanta. But he also labeled him a "quality DT". But that's not doing him any justice. Too many people are talking about his struggles as a run defender when he's elite against the pass.
In three NFL seasons, Dexter has amassed 13.5 sacks, 42 QB hits, and 106 pressures--as an interior defender. The guy has a knack for getting to the quarterback. And the only reason he was traded is because he's entering the final year of his rookie deal and the Bears didn't want to extend him knowing he's not a great fit for Dennis Allen's system.
Speaking of scheme fit, the Falcons landed a true "hog molly" in this guy. At 6-foot-6 and 312 pounds and the amount of pass-rushing burst he'll offer, he's a perfect fit for the "attack front" system DL coach Nate Ollie has implemented--and he's surely going to get the most out of Dexter's skillset.
With Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. both on the shelf, the Atlanta Falcons badly need sack production wherever they can get it from, and even Gerald McCoy knows the Falcons picked up an absolute mauler who's due to wreak havoc for their defensive front in Gervon Dexter Sr.
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