Not long after the Atlanta Falcons released Grady Jarrett, the veteran defensive tackle already had a new home.
Around five hours later on Tuesday afternoon, the Chicago Bears signed Jarrett to a three-year, $43.5 million deal.
Jarrett spent the last 10 seasons with the Falcons. He was born in Atlanta and played his high school ball at Rockdale County High School in Conyers, Georgia. For the majority of his life, Atlanta was home. So when Jarrett heard the organization that drafted him in the fifth round out of Clemson was releasing him, it was a surprise.
"You know what it was, uhh, I didn't expect it, you know,” Jarrett said. “But I would have faith to trust the process and let it play itself out, but I gave Atlanta my all. Everybody in that building, the organization, knows I gave Atlanta my all. I'm from Atlanta with or without the Falcons. Atlanta is always going to show me love. I'm going to show Atlanta love. You know, I'm so invested already in the community and life goes on. But my motivation doesn't come from trying to get back or vengeance or whatever it is.
I'm focused on the next thing and my next thing is here, and all I could do, I would be robbing Chicago, coaches, players, fans if I was up here worried about how Atlanta made me feel. … All my energy, all my focus is right here in Chicago and that’s where it’s going and that is where it’s going to be.”
That energy and focus was evident in Jarrett’s introductory press conference at Halas Hall on Wednesday but also in how he talked about Caleb Williams. Jarrett said the Bears’ quarterback played a factor in his signing with Chicago.
“With a vet like myself, you want to go somewhere that has a good quarterback,” Jarrett said. “And to be have a quarterback who is the No. 1 pick, is only going to get better, have a new offensive-minded coach who is going to be able to spend time with him, train him to get the things he has obviously had success get done. I think Caleb’s ceiling is super high. I’ve watched from afar, admired from afar since he’s been in college and I’m excited to play with him. That definitely, definitely played a factor in my coming here because I believe he was the No. 1 pick for a reason and his best is obviously yet to come. …”
After his first season in the NFL, Williams now has the Bears’ rookie passing records for completions (351), passing yards (3,541) and touchdowns (20). Despite the Bears only winning five games last season, the former No.1 overall pick showed plenty of positive signs, and players like Jarrett have noticed.
Veteran offensive lineman Joe Thuney was also introduced at Halas Hall on Wednesday. Thuney said Williams has already reached out to his new left guard.
“He sent me a nice text after it (the trade) happened and I told him I’m really looking forward to playing with him,” Thuney said. “He’s such a talented player and I’m excited to be part of the offense and do what I can.”
Thuney has played in some great offenses under head coaches Andy Reid and Bill Belichick and with some of the greatest quarterbacks in Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady. If anyone knows what a talented quarterback looks like, it’s him and Thuney said he’s “ready to get going” with Williams and his new team.
Williams may be young (23) and only has 17 NFL games under his belt, but he’s already becoming a factor for the Chicago Bears organization by impacting free agents’ decisions.