Grady Jarrett was released by the Atlanta Falcons just a couple of hours before the early negotiation period for free agency was about to start, and the Chicago Bears worked quickly to ink him to a 3-year, $42,750,000 deal. Unless they caught wind that Atlanta was planning to release him at some point prior, this deal came together very quickly.
Jarrett tore his ACL on October 29, 2023, but he returned to play in all 17 games last year. His 2024 was inconsistent, but he still had more tackles than any other Atlanta defensive lineman, he led the team in tackles for loss (9), and his 12 QB hits were tied for the second most. But the Falcons had some cap issues, and cutting Jarrett saved $16.25 million.
The Bears needed to bolster their defensive front, and the 32-year-old Jarrett will do just that. He may not be the All-Pro he was in 2019, but he has enough in the tank to be an upgraded presence in the middle of Chicago’s line. He was a locker room leader in Atlanta, and he’s already embraced a mentorship role with his young teammates in Chicago.
“I think the perfect match came along when I had the opportunity to join this team,” Jarrett said after the Bears signed him. “Being a part of something that is going to start here special. Me being somebody who wants to be in a position to compete for championships, encourage younger guys around me, and really share my experience and my hunger for greatness to others who want to achieve it. I’m in a special place in a special time, in a special moment where I’m supposed to be.”
The Bears are deep at defensive tackle with Gervon Dexter Sr., Andrew Billings, Chris Williams, and rookie Shemar Turner, not to mention DE Dayo Odeyingbo, who may kick inside on occasion, which should keep Jarrett’s snap count down.
Last year, he played in 744 (67%) snaps for the Falcons, but in Chicago, that number should come down quite a bit, and a fresher Jarrett should be a more effective Jarrett.