Ryan Poles explains why the Chicago Bears traded Gervon Dexter

The Chicago Bears kicked off roster cutdown day with a bang when they traded defensive tackle Gervon Dexter to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a fifth-round pick and cornerback Clark Phillips III.

The former second-round defensive tackle was entering a contract year, and there were questions about his future after he failed to live up to his draft billing in three years. It certainly didn't help that there were some standout performances by Bears defensive tackles this summer, including rookies Jordan van den Berg and Jayden Loving, as well as Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street and James Lynch.

On Tuesday, general manager Ryan Poles sounded off on the decision to trade Dexter. Poles said the deal was "more about timing than anything. Timing and fit." He added that the emergence of rookies van den Berg and Loving definitely played a role in the decision.

"Those young guys started making a push when we got through camp, along with Grady (Jarrett), (Kentavius) Street and Neville (Gallimore)," Poles said. "We felt like the timing made sense for us. Really, it was about the shape in the room and how good those young guys were doing too. We feel really good and confident in our talent level at that position."

It's another mark against Poles during his four-year tenure as general manager, where there have been a number of hits and misses. But this isn't the first time Poles has been willing to admit defeat and own up to his mistake, and it won't be the last.

"I don’t think we’re an organization or I’m a GM that’s going to hold on just because it was a draft pick or a trade you made and now I got to make it work and we’re just going to keep that player here when it’s not working," Poles said. "Like, that will hurt the team. The locker room always knows, so we hold true to that. We want to put the best group together, regardless of how they were acquired."

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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Ryan Poles explains why the Chicago Bears traded Gervon Dexter