The Chicago Bears are rarely this aggressive. That should tell you how serious they are about winning football games this season. GM Ryan Poles already nabbed two quality additions to the trenches with center Drew Dalman and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo. Most people felt, understandably, that it would be the extent of their work on the first day of action. They were wrong. Mere minutes after the Odeyingbo news drops, the Bears struck again, this time adding former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.
The move will likely be met with annoyance from fans because the 31-year-old only had 2.5 sacks last season. That conveniently ignores complicating factors. Jarrett had 34 pressures during the year, which is pretty impressive considering he had torn his ACL in 2023. He also didn’t have much help around him in Atlanta, which will obviously have been the case in Chicago. Don’t forget Dennis Allen knows him well. He coached against the Falcons for years with the Saints. He knows the type of disruptor Jarrett can be.
The Chicago Bears don’t need Jarrett to carry the load.
They already have Gervon Dexter and Andrew Billings capable of starting. Jarrett should be able to play more of a rotational role, utilizing his skills as an interior pass rusher without the added wear and tear of defending the run. If this is how the Chicago Bears deploy him, it could prove a masterful stroke. The one thing they always seemed to be missing was quickness and explosion on the interior. Even at 32 years old, Jarrett should still be able to provide both. His arrival also furthers the goal of allowing Poles to enter the NFL draft next month without having to be governed by needs. He can take the best players on his board, regardless of position. It will maximize their chances of landing good players that way.
Lucha – I don’t disagree Jeanty is a beast and probably better than Swift. But he’s just not a full on bruiser. NFL hits are a bit different. And to have 2 very similar RBs together you just don’t see it. I’m not saying they pass on Jeanty, hell im on here quoting in passed articles that he’s the pick. I just don’t think he’s there now raiders got geno and I really like Campbell.
@BearCub30
Jeanty led all of NCAAF in yac.
I think we have different definitions of “stunner.”
Rocket- I agree we need a good young DT. Mainly one that can rotate with Billings. When he went down last year we really saw a drop in the run stop. Especially with what Jacobs with the packers was doing to us and what the lions have. We need another beefy big boi run stuffer like billings. Jarrett is more of a Dexter rotational piece. Kenneth Grant is interesting to me 🤔
Atlanta fans are crying now. Many claim he was their best D Lineman. Constantly fighting double teams in the middle of their 3-4 D. Should be a good rotational piece for the Bears. And he’s a high character type. Add one young D tackle in the draft to rotate in and take over after 2 years.