LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Each day as Bears second-year defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. walks into the players’ entrance at Halas Hall, he sees the names and numbers of franchise greats illuminate the hallway.
It’s all the motivation that Dexter needs when he arrives at work – a reminder of what he's representing as a member of the Bears. More so, it drives the 22-year-old Dexter to be his best self in the NFL.
“I set my goal as soon as I got here that I wanted to have my name on those walls,” Dexter said.
Dexter's internal wiring is what strikes those around him each day. They see a player who's truly determined to be great.
Veteran linebacker Tremaine Edmunds can see that look in Dexter’s eyes. Soon after being hired, new Bears defensive coordinator Eric Washington took notice of Dexter's demeanor.
The Bears are doing more than just talking about their belief in Dexter. Their defensive identity is counting on him. He's set to serve as the primary three-technique defensive tackle, a position that head coach Matt Eberflus has called the "engine" that drives his unit.
Dexter committed himself to becoming leaner and more explosive this offseason, and the difference is notable. Eberflus recognized it the first day that Dexter returned to Lake Forest this offseason.
The Bears have raved about the player they see now.
“He’s just waiting to blow, honestly,” Pro Bowl pass rusher Montez Sweat said of Dexter.
“The level of focus that he has as a second-year player is pretty uncommon,” Washington added.
A second-round pick of the Bears in 2023, Dexter struggled at times to assert himself as a rookie. He had to adjust from a two-gap role in college at Florida to playing a one-gap assignment, which requires him to fire off the football and create havoc.
Over time last season, Dexter became more comfortable with his tasks. The midseason trade acquisition of Sweat impacted the entire defense — and perhaps no one player more than Dexter.
Then came this pivotal offseason for Dexter, one in which he sought to get into "marathon shape" by running hills and having a healthier diet.
“I (previously) was just like, ‘Man, one honey bun won’t hurt me,’” Dexter said with a smile. “So, yeah, I cut that out and now I feel a lot better.”
Upon reporting to training camp last week, Dexter ran the defensive ends’ conditioning test rather than participating in the workout for defensive tackles. He finished toward the front of the pack in a group that includes Sweat and several other athletic pass rushers.
The Bears will strap on the pads Friday for the first time in training camp, and it's a day that Dexter has marked on his calendar. He feels different now with each practice. Once the pads start popping, Dexter can showcase the player he hopes to be.
“I can be who I want to be,” Dexter said. “And the sky is limit for it. Every goal I want to do, that's every goal I want to hit. It'll be good for me if I do it exactly what I said I'm going to do.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.