To kick off a busy cutdown day, the Chicago Bears acquired cornerback Clark Phillips III in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons. The Bears received Phillips and a 2027 fifth-round pick in exchange for defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr., who heads to Atlanta after spending his first three years in Chicago.
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Phillips is an interesting addition to a defensive backfield that looks to be a work in progress. Let’s discuss the move and where the new guy fits in the grand scheme of things.
Clark Phillips III, Cornerback
Age: 24 (turns 25 on Dec. 19) College: Utah Measurables: 5-9, 185 pounds Career stats: 1 interception, 10 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 63 total tackles, 4 tackles-for-loss in 28 games played (7 starts) with the Atlanta Falcons (2023-2025). 2025 stats: 1 game (sidelined by triceps injury, limited to just 9 special teams snaps) Recent Pro Football Focus grades: N/A (2025), 76.5 (2024), 55.4 (2023), 59.0 (2022) Notable accomplishments: PFWA All-Rookie Team (2018), Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year (2018), UTSA Sports Hall of Fame (2023)The 2024 season was Phillips’ best, according to Pro Football Focus’ grading metrics. Phillips earned a 76.5 overall grade, which ranked 10th among 117 cornerbacks. His 76.0 coverage grade was solid, too. That particular number ranked 11th at the position. And because we know how much this defensive coaching staff appreciates corners who get their nose dirty as run defenders, Phillips’ 72.5 run-defense grade (34th of 117 CBs) is also notable.
Dec 17, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Panthers WR Adam Thielen (19) is tackled by Falcons CB Clark Phillips III (34) in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY SportsClark Phillips III’s with the Chicago Bears in 2026
Phillips joins Grady Jarrett, Kentavius Street, D’Marco Jackson, and Xavier Woods as defensive players who played in the NFC South while Bears Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen was serving as the New Orleans Saints head coach. Sure, that is an odd connection to make. But it feels notable that Chicago’s front office has snagged a bunch of former NFC South players since 2025. It is almost as if we should see this as a vote of confidence in Allen, his scheme, his talent evaluation ability, and his overall defensive philosophy.
I don’t think the Bears have one specific role in mind for Phillips, which is probably a good thing. This defense needs flexible players with positional versatility. For what it’s worth, a glance at Phillips’ snap count data at Pro Football Focus provides a glimpse at where we could see him line up in 2026.
This is a snap breakdown for Clark Phillips III in the regular-season games he has played in since being drafted in 2023:
Wide cornerback: 673 Box: 107 Slot cornerback: 36Even though most of Phillips’ snaps have come as a boundary corner, I like that he has experience in the box and in the slot. That could come in handy when Chicago is mixing and matching in the secondary.
Oct 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clark Phillips III makes a tackle at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesWhere Clark Phillips III lines up for the Bears in 2026 may depend on what happens elsewhere on the roster. Phillips could be a contingency plan if Tyrique Stevenson struggles as the other starting cornerback opposite Jaylon Johnson. Of course, that job could go to Malik Muhammad … unless the rookie begins the year as the starting nickel cornerback. Cam Lewis appears in line to start there with Kyler Gordon still sidelined, but could be deployed as a starting safety next to rookie Dillon Thieneman if Xavier Woods isn’t performing to the team’s standards.
Trying to figure out which Bears defensive backs land where feels like watching a game of musical chairs play out in front of your eyes. Hopefully, everyone who finds a seat performs at a high level in 2026. Chicago’s defense needs all hands on deck if it is going to improve from last season.
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