The 2025 NFL season marked something different for Grady Jarrett. After spending his first 10 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, the veteran defensive lineman joined the Chicago Bears this past offseason.
Jarrett, 32, would have to find a way to transition from everything he has grown accustomed to over the past decade and show his new coaching staff, teammates, and city that he could still produce at a high level, especially since the general manager Ryan Poles signed him to a three-year, $43.5 million contract.
Poles appears to have made a mistake with Jarrett halfway through the season
Through the first 10 weeks of the 2025 regular season, Jarrett has struggled to produce on a Bears’ defensive line that has needed individuals to step up all season. The veteran defensive lineman has just six tackles, four pressures, and one sack in six games played, according to Pro Football Focus.
Jarrett missed four games because of a knee injury, but his production was inconsistent before he was forced to sit out. Of the six games he has played in this season, his performance against the Detroit Lions was his best. He finished the game with a 69.1 overall defensive grade and ended with two total tackles and two quarterback hits.
The contract that Poles signed Jarrett to is clearly not panning out thus far. If Jarrett’s production continues on his current track, the former fifth-round draft pick in 2015 will go down as another failed signing in Poles’ resume.
One area that can’t be quantified when it comes to Jarrett is the leadership he adds to not only the defensive line room but the entire team. Following the 52-21 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 2, Jarrett, along with safeties Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard III, called for a players-only meeting the next Wednesday.
The defense limited Dak Prescott and the Cowboys to 14 points and forced four takeaways in the 31-14 win in Week 3.
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Jarrett has been vocal throughout his career, and maybe his words helped fuel the defense, but actions speak louder than words. Jarrett needs to prove he can produce at a higher level in these final eight games of the 2025 regular season.