30 Most Important Bears of 2025: Grady Jarrett (No. 17)

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for an exciting 2025 NFL season, which features some new faces within the organization poised to get the franchise back to its winning ways. That starts with the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach, as well as overhauling the interior offensive line, adding pieces on defense and a potenital impactful rookie draft class.

Every day from now right up through training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2025 season. We’ll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to 2025 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.

Next up at No. 17 is defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who will serve a key role along the defensive interior and as a leader.

Background

Position: Defensive tackle

Age: 32

Experience: 11th season

2025 cap hit: $7 million

2024 recap

Grady Jarrett played his first 10 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons after being selected in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft. During his career, Jarrett has been a model of consistency, production, hard work and leadership. He’s also overcome his share of adversity, including suffering a season-ending knee injury that cut his 2023 season way short. Jarrett made his return to the gridiron in 2024, and he once again showed why he’s a vital member of that Falcons defensive line, even if he wasn’t as dominant as he was before his ACL injury. Last season, Jarrett started in all 17 games and totaled 53 tackles, including nine tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and 12 QB hits. Jarrett was a surprising roster cut just ahead of free agency, and he was well-respected and beloved by coaches and teammates. But ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the Falcons offered a new deal to Jarrett to keep him in Atlanta, but Jarrett opted to test the free agent market. The Falcons ultimately saved $16 million in salary cap space.

2025 outlook

Shortly after Jarrett was released by the Falcons, the Bears wasted no time signing him to a three-year, $43.5 million deal to anchor the interior defensive line. Jarrett comes to Chicago with a wealth of knowledge and experience that will make him a vital mentor for young players, including Gervon Dexter Sr., as well as his proven track record as a run defender and interior pass rusher. Jarrett was the first addition for new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who witnessed Jarrett up close during his time with the New Orleans Saints and played the Falcons twice a year. Jarrett is expected to start along the interior, alongside Dexter, to anchor a defensive line that will be key to the defense’s success. While Dexter had a down year in 2024, coming off a torn ACL, another year of rest and rehab on that knee should have the soon-to-be 32-year old veteran primed to contribute in a big way in 2025.

Big question: What will be Jarrett’s impact on defense?

The Bears committed significant resources to an aging veteran defensive tackle who’s less than two years removed from a torn ACL, so they’re banking on an impact — both production-wise and from a leadership standpoint. Jarrett is a former All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler that figures to be a valuable contributor in Dennis Allen’s aggressive defense. Jarrett developed into one of the game’s best interior defenders, and Chicago needs that along their defensive line. He’s expected to start along the interior with third-year pro Gervon Dexter Sr. with Andrew Billings rotating in. While Jarrett has proven himself as a dominant run defender and interior pass rusher — something the Bears hope translates — his value as a leader is just as important. The Bears have some young players along the defensive line, including Dexter, Dayo Odeyingbo, Austin Booker and rookie Shemar Turner, and Jarrett will be key to their continued development.