Zacch Pickens might have lost his roster spot with the Chicago Bears during the 53-man roster cutdown, but his ex-teammate, Gervon Dexter Sr., still believes the 25-year-old “has a lot of career left in him” despite his latest setback.
The Bears waived Pickens, a 2023 third-round pick, during Tuesday’s roster cutdown after he failed to win a spot in their much-improved defensive tackle room during this summer’s training camp. He had played 26 games for them over his first two seasons, but he never seized a regular role in the rotation like Dexter, who has started 15 games.
For Dexter, though, Pickens’ departure is a little more personal, given that the two of them came into the league together as members of the same Bears 2023 draft class. Dexter went 53rd overall in the second round, while Pickens went 64th in the third.
“I think that was a tough one for me,” Dexter said Friday. “We came in together, we got drafted together and we were able to see all the ups and downs in the league — we did everything. We went through all those moments together. The tough part, obviously, is the business and just seeing that. Obviously, I’m still grateful that I’m here. And I know Zacch, he still has a lot of career left in him and he’ll be able to keep it going.”
Gervon Dexter Sr. Could Break Out for Bears in 2025
The career trajectories of Dexter and Pickens have been quite different thus far despite the Bears selecting them just 11 picks apart in the 2023 draft. While Pickens entered his third offseason with the Bears firmly on the roster bubble, Dexter is a clear starter who will have an opportunity to solidify a long-term place with the team in the year ahead.
Dexter continued to develop in the right direction for the Bears in his second season, earning a full-time starting role in the middle of their defense and delivering 5.5 sacks and 39 quarterback pressures, the latter of which ranked in the top 20 at his position. He had some inconsistencies against the run, but the Bears also lost their biggest and best run-stopper, veteran Andrew Billings, to a season-ending injury in Week 9.
Now, Dexter heads into his third season poised for an NFL breakout. The supporting cast around him on the defensive line has improved with the return of Billings and the additions of veteran Grady Jarrett and second-round rookie Shemar Turner. The Bears also hired a more aggressive defensive play-caller in new coordinator Dennis Allen.
While Dexter must still play his part and make the necessary strides, he could very well set himself up for a lucrative contract extension in 2026 if he breaks out for the Bears.
Zacch Pickens Landed Practice-Squad Role With Chiefs
Pickens ran out of time with the Bears, but it didn’t take him more than a few days to find his next opportunity with the Super Bowl-contending Kansas City Chiefs.
According to the team’s transaction wire, the Chiefs signed Pickens on Thursday to their practice squad after hosting him for a workout earlier in the day. He had cleared waivers after his release from the Bears, likely because of his rookie contract’s cost.
Pickens is now one of three defensive tackles on the Chiefs’ practice squad, giving him competition as he vies for game-day elevation opportunities throughout the regular season. Veteran Marlon Tuipulotu and Brodric Martin are also among the reserves.
The Chiefs could have reason to call up one of their practice-squad options, though. They have a solid rotation between Chris Jones, Jerry Tillery and Derrick Nnadi, but rookie second-rounder Omarr Norman-Lott remains sidelined with an injury and is in doubt to play for the Chiefs in their season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.
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