The Chicago Bears are getting healthy right now, but they will be without at least one starter who didn't practice this week. Despite his absence, Bears head coach Ben Johnson had some comments about him that are certainly turning heads from the fan base.
Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett did not practice all week due to a knee injury that kept him out of the Week 4 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Jarrett is set to miss his second consecutive game as he was ruled out against the Washington Commanders.
Before the news about the injury report was shared, Johnson spoke with the media and discussed Jarrett's chances of playing in the game. While he left the door open to the possibility before the news, a comment he made caught Bears fans' attention.
“There’s certain guys that need to practice during the week to prove they can go on game day. He’s had some skins on the wall and proven that he’s a guy who can kind of skirt by without practicing as much during the week and still be able to perform at a high level on game day.”
"High level" is something Bears fans have yet to see from Jarrett in 2025
Jarrett signed with the Bears in the offseason with a three-year, $42.75 million deal with $27.25 million guaranteed. He has not quite lived up to the expectations that fans were hoping he would.
In three games, Jarrett has racked up four tackles and three quarterback hits. He's posted a PFF overall grade of 55.7, ranking 111th out of 188 interior defensive linemen.
Chicago has needed Jarrett to help not only with putting pressure on the quarterback, but also with stopping the run. As one of the worst teams in sacks (with just five in four games) and in run defense (ranking 31st), he has not stepped up the way the team felt he could back in the offseason.
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Now the Bears will have to roll into the Commanders game without him, raising more questions about whether he was worth the contract the team gave him.