Grady Jarrett is Finally Playing up to His Bears Contract

The Chicago Bears brought in Grady Jarrett in the 2025 offseason to lead the defensive line. 

The team already had their leader in the secondary. Kevin Byard had been with the organization for one season before Jarrett arrived. Byard is no longer with the team, so Jarrett is expected to be one of this team's leaders in the locker room for the defense. 

He is currently in the second year of a three-year deal worth $42.75 million, according to Spotrac. Based on how he played last year, I think it's easy to say that he wasn't worth the money. 

He didn't play a full season and wasn't even a starter in every game. Jarrett played in 14 games with four starts last year. He accounted for 39 total tackles, 1.5 sacks and one TFL. 

This wasn't what the Bears expected from the player, a two-time Pro Bowler for the Atlanta Falcons and a true enforcer on the interior of the defensive line. 

It didn't help that the Bears had one of the worst rush defenses in the NFL last season. The defensive tackles weren't getting enough push, and teams took advantage. 

Chicago allowed 134.5 rushing yards per game on average, which was the sixth-most in the NFL. The team also struggled to sack opposing quarterbacks at an efficient rate, ranking 22nd with 35 sacks. 

Fast forward to this year, and the defensive line has improved significantly. People have been focusing on the return of Dayo Odeyingbo, who missed the second half of the season with an Achilles tear. 

Odeyingbo has nine total tackles, three sacks and three TFLs in five games. However, another resurgence has greatly benefited the defensive line. 

Grady Jarrett has finally started to live up to the contract the Bears gave him. It may not seem like it. His stats through five games are 11 total tackles and one TFL. He is finding increasing success in pass-rush win rate and run-stop win rate. 

According to The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain, Garrett is sixth among defensive tackles in pass rush win rate and second in run-block win rate. 

Garrett is having success in rushing the passer and stopping the run. This is exactly what the Bears need right now. 

Montez Sweat will miss the next games due to his PED-related suspension. Even before then, Odeyingbo has been better at sacking quarterbacks than he has been this season. Sweat has two sacks, seven total tackles, and two TFLs. 

The timing for Jarrett's rebirth couldn't be better. The Bears are about to face his former team for the first time since he left after the 2024 season. 

The Atlanta Falcons are dealing with quarterback issues right now. It's unclear whether Michael Penix Jr. or Tua Tagovailoa will start at quarterback. 

With Odeyingbo and Jarrett getting back to their old selves, the pass rush and run defense have improved. The Bears are 12th in sacks (10) and have allowed the ninth-fewest rushing yards per game so far (96). 

Jarrett chose a good time to play this way. This is the kind of player they were hoping to get when they signed him last year. 

Better late than never for the two-time Pro Bowler.