Grady Jarrett has rebounded swiftly from cap-casualty status. Hours after the Falcons released him, the veteran defensive tackle is joining the Bears on a deal fairly comparable to his previous Atlanta pact.
Chicago is adding Jarrett on a three-year, $43.5MM deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who adds $28.5MM will be guaranteed at signing. This represents a win for the 10-year Falcon, who is going into an age-32 season.
This signing comes after the Falcons had offered Jarrett a reduced deal, but ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler indicates the interior D-lineman believed his market value would produce a better contract. He appears to have been right. Jarrett will join a Bears team that has been busy along its lines. After trading for Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, Chicago agreed to bring in Drew Dalman at center and Dayo Odeyingbo at DT.
While Dalman and Odeyingbo are first-time free agents, Jarrett and Thuney are closer to the end of their respective careers. The two faced off back in Super Bowl LI, a breakout night for Jarrett that included three sacks of Tom Brady. Thuney has maintained a higher performance level, earning back-to-back first-team All-Pro nods, but Jarrett has fared well contractually. This is his third veteran contract, after the Falcons had paid the former fifth-rounder in 2018 and 2022.
Jarrett has three double-digit TFL seasons, with his most recent slate coming in 2022. That marked Jarrett’s last season before an ACL tear, which marred his 2023 campaign. While Jarrett returned to action on time last year, he only accumulated 2.5 sacks. Though, the Falcons have continually offered Jarrett little support in terms of edge pressure. He has still racked up 77 TFLs and 36.5 sacks. Teaming with Odeyingbo and Montez Sweat presents a better situation than Jarrett has enjoyed in many years.
The Bears had used former second-round pick Gervon Dexter as a primary starter at DT, but it appears the 2022 draftee will be sliding to the second team soon. Fellow starter Andrew Billings remains under contract as well, but Jarrett and Odeyingbo will supply a high-priced tandem to help Chicago after its defense ranked 27th in yards allowed last season. The Bears were 28th against the run.