Ryan Poles spent every Day 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on defense. Three years later, one of those selections is headed out of Chicago, and Bears fans are using the exit as another referendum on the general manager’s record.
On Sunday, Chicago agreed to send defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. to the Atlanta Falcons for cornerback Clark Phillips III and a 2027 fifth-round pick, pending physicals.
Dexter was the No. 53 overall pick in 2023 and developed into a productive interior pass rusher, making the return especially frustrating for fans already skeptical of Poles’ defensive personnel work.
Bears Fans Turn Gervon Dexter Trade Into Ryan Poles Referendum
One Bears fan argued that head coach Ben Johnson has shown an eye for offensive talent, but the defense needs the same touch.
“Bears desperately need someone with an eye for defensive talent. Poles has quite frankly failed miserably. The best player on this defense is still a Ryan Pace pick,” the fan wrote.
Ben Johnson obviously has an eye for offensive talent (Jackson, Burden, Loveland, Monangai, etc.)
Bears desperately need someone with an eye for defensive talent. Poles has quite frankly failed miserably. The best player on this defense is still a Ryan Pace pick
— Ilan (@ilannfl18) August 30, 2026
Another user was even more direct: “Ryan Poles continues to be inept on the defensive side of the ball.”
One fan called the trade “abysmal” and wrote, “Like I said, Poles is the only thing stopping us from a SB.”
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This is abysmal. Like I said poles is the only thing stopping us from a SB https://t.co/rU9n2NUNC1
— Austin (@BadTakeMen) August 30, 2026
Another Bears fan expanded the criticism: “Every move Poles has made on the defensive side has not worked out. Trading Roquan, signing Edmunds, failing on a million second-round picks, Dayo, Jarrett, the list goes on.”
A separate fan wrote, “Another Ryan Poles day 2 draft whiff but I’ve been told that doesn’t matter.”
Another Ryan Poles day 2 draft whiff but I’ve been told that doesn’t matter https://t.co/8KKnxxrTnX
— Let Ryan Poles Eat (@POLESPLSEAT3) August 30, 2026
Another fan described Atlanta’s return this way: “Insane fleece. Common Ian W.”
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Why Bears Moved On From Gervon Dexter
The frustration is understandable, but Dexter was not simply dumped because he could not play. He recorded 13.5 sacks in 49 games for Chicago, including six in 2025, and finished last season with a 77.8 PFN DT Impact grade, ranking No. 32 among qualifying defensive tackles.
Still, the Bears had reasons to move now. Dexter is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the Sun-Times reported that the organization was not prepared to extend him after he slipped behind other interior linemen during camp.
The trade also returns Phillips, a 2023 fourth-rounder who has appeared in 28 games with seven starts, plus an extra fifth-round selection in what is expected to be a deep 2027 draft.
Dexter’s departure nevertheless lands differently because of how heavily Poles invested in defense that night in 2023. Chicago drafted Dexter at No. 53, Tyrique Stevenson at No. 56, and Zacch Pickens at No. 64, using all three Day 2 choices on that side of the ball.
Atlanta gets a young interior rusher entering a contract year. Chicago gets secondary depth and another pick.
For Bears fans judging Poles by the developmental return on his defensive investments, however, Dexter’s exit just added another line to the argument.
