It looked like the Chicago Bears were done with the first day of free agency after coming to terms on deals with center Drew Dalman and defensive end Dayo Odenyingbo. They'd addressed both of their most pressing needs. It was time to sit back and let the market settle, right? Nope. Not long after the Odenyingbo news dropped, the Bears struck again, reaching an agreement with former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Grady Jarrett on a three-year deal. It was a move nobody saw coming.
For one, Jarrett is 31. Chicago has generally steered clear of older free agents under Ryan Poles. For another, he'd just been released earlier in the day. Most expected him to test the market. Instead, the Bears made their push quickly, and he jumped on board. While money was a key part of the decision, along with joining a coach he's familiar with, Dennis Allen, there was likely another core reason this came together.
It means Jarrett will get a chance to pursue his beef with Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love.
Grady Jarrett can be so beneficial to the Bears.
Keep in mind he suffered a torn ACL midway through the 2023 season. He still returned and played all of 2024, producing 34 quarterback pressures along the way. If healthy, Jarrett remains one of the more explosive interior pass rushers in the league. The best part is the Bears wouldn't need him to be the primary guy. They have Gervon Dexter in place. With him handling full-time duties, Jarrett will be able to serve as a rotational pass rusher. This will preserve his body and utilize the best of his skillset.
Beyond that, Grady Jarrett is a tremendous leader. For the better part of a decade, he was the heart and soul of Atlanta's defense. He plays with attitude and a chip on his shoulder. Ben Johnson said he wants plays who excel in big moments. Across five playoff games in his career, Jarrett has 17 quarterback pressures. His three-sack performance in the Super Bowl against Tom Brady was legendary. The young guys can also learn from his dedication to his craft.
The fact he also hates the quarterback of the Bears' most hated rival is the cherry on the sundae.
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