1. The Chicago Bears starting defensive line (and Gervon Dexter)
I know before writing this, some will cry that the defense recorded eight sacks. That’s true. How many of those sacks came when the starters were in?
Keeping in mind starters DeMarcus Walker and Yannick Ngakoue did not play, there were troubling signs at defensive tackle. The Bears’ first drive was a disaster, as the team surrendered 75 yards and a touchdown to the Titans.
Defensive tackle Andrew Billings was brought in this offseason to help get the Bears’ run defense back on track. The 1-tech struggled during his first drive with the Bears (though he did play better at the goalline).
Billings was shoved consistently, being pushed 3-4 yards off the line of scrimmage on run plays. He wound up being the Bears worst graded defender on defense by PFF.
Second-round pick Gervon Dexter had a bad outing. Eberflus said earlier in training camp Dexter needed to show more explosion and keep his pad level down. Per ImBearingDown, here’s every snap Dexter played Saturday.
Dexter is consistently the last player to move off the ball. And he’s standing straight up, killing any momentum for Dexter to penetrate the backfield.
Every snap #Bears Gervon Dexter Sr played in his preseason debut. pic.twitter.com/EpawGnMTPA
— ImBearingDown (@ImBearingDown) August 13, 2023
Hopefully, Dexter can improve before the regular season. But it’s concerning he’s not getting much better after Eberflus called him out this month.
The Bears’ defensive line is a work in progress. Third-round pick Zacch Pickens earned a sack. Ngakoue and Walker should make the defensive line better. But the starting defense showed what they’re capable of with a crappy defensive line.
It’s not pretty.
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