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Bears-Falcons Franchise Connections

The Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons are set to renew their long-standing rivalry this week, with a history of 30 meetings and a closely contested 16-14 series in favor of the Bears since their first matchup in 1966. The connection between the two teams runs deeper than just their on-field battles, as several players have crossed paths between the rosters.

On the Bears’ side, cornerback Clark Phillips III joined Chicago as part of the trade that sent Gervon Dexter Sr. to Atlanta.

Phillips, a fourth-round pick in 2023, played three seasons with the Falcons, recording 63 tackles, an interception, and 10 pass deflections before making the switch to Chicago. Defensive tackle Kentavius Street also arrived from Atlanta this offseason, where he logged 50 tackles, 4.0 sacks, and 11.0 tackles for loss over three seasons.

Meanwhile, the Falcons boast a notable presence of former Bears, including Dexter, who was drafted by Chicago in 2023 before being traded to Atlanta. The Falcons’ roster also features Olamide Zaccheaus, a veteran wide receiver who played for the Bears in 2024 after stints with Chicago from 2019 to 2022, contributing 39 catches for 313 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Former Bears general manager Ryan Pace’s influence during his tenure with Atlanta (2022–2025) may have also contributed to this overlap, as five players on the Falcons’ roster have Bears ties.

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