Falcons reach 4-year, $78 million extension with DT Gervon Dexter weeks after landing him in a trade

The Atlanta Falcons have locked down their newest defensive tackle.

The Falcons and Gervon Dexter reached a four-year, $78 million extension on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The deal includes $46.5 million guaranteed, too.

The Falcons only landed Dexter in a deal with the Chicago Bears last month. They sent cornerback Clark Phillips and a future fifth-round draft pick to Chicago to pick up Dexter in an attempt to bolster their defensive line before the season started.

Dexter was in the final year of his four-year, $6.7 million rookie deal that he first signed after the Bears selected him with the No. 53 overall pick in 2023 out of Florida. He would have been a free agent after this season.

Though it's only been three games, Dexter has clearly shown enough to the Falcons already to land the extension. He's up to seven total tackles and half of a sack through three games so far this season.

And with the trade happening just a matter of weeks ago, it's clear Dexter wasn't going to get a massive deal like this in Chicago. Dexter is now in the top 15 among the highest-paid interior defensive lineman in the league. Kansas City Chiefs star Chris Jones leads that list with his $158.7 million deal, but Dexter is now right in line with Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jordan Davis.

The Falcons, who picked up their first win in the form of a 35-14 road victory over the Green Bay Packers last Thursday, will take on the New Orleans Saints next in Week 4.