The Chicago Bears' offseason strategy was all about bolstering the trenches, aiming to fortify both the offensive and defensive lines. On defense, the Bears made a bold move by bringing in veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett with a three-year, $42.75 million contract.
Jarrett, a stalwart during his decade with the Atlanta Falcons, built a reputation as one of the NFL's most underappreciated defensive tackles. True, 2024 might not have been his standout year, but Jarrett's not letting that dim his outlook as he suits up for the Bears.
In fact, Jarrett is already leaving his mark at offseason drills and OTAs, and it's pretty positive. Take it from Montez Sweat, a respected pass rusher, who notes that Jarrett is not just helping the rookies but also guiding those unfamiliar with the defensive scheme under coordinator Dennis Allen.
Though Jarrett has yet to play under Allen, his extensive experience is proving invaluable in helping this defense evolve. Sure, Sweat and the other veterans aren't short on NFL wisdom, but there's always room to expand their defensive repertoire.
Looking back at the Bears’ 2024 season defensive stats, there's room for improvement. They ranked 16th in defending the pass, with 217.9 yards allowed per game, and struggled at 28th against the run, giving up 136.3 yards per game. They were middle-of-the-pack with 40 sacks on the season.
Now, while Jarrett isn't necessarily coming in as a sack machine—he recorded 2.5 last year and just four in the previous two seasons combined—his presence in the heart of the defense is expected to be an upgrade. His 61.5 run defense grade, as per Pro Football Focus, placed him 54th among 219 defensive linemen last season. To put that into context, it's a solid foundation for what he can bring to Chicago.
For coaches and fans alike, seeing Jarrett take on a leadership role and offer his insight is a welcome sight. With Ben Johnson at the helm in his first year, Chicago's aspirations for a more formidable defense will lean heavily on veterans like Jarrett to lead the charge and stabilize the line.
