Report: Grady Jarrett, Bears Agree to 3-Year, $43.5M Contract After Falcons Release

The Chicago Bears are focusing on the trenches.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the Bears had signed defensive tackle Grady Jarrett to a three-year, $43.5 million contract. Jarrett had been released by the Atlanta Falcons earlier in the day.

The Bears had signed center Drew Dalman earlier in the day and had traded for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson last week to help stabilize the offensive line. Jarrett is a key addition to the defensive line as the team looks to build depth in the trenches.

The Bears also signed Dayo Odeyingbo earlier on Monday and will have a projected defensive line consisting of Jarrett, Odeyingbo, Montez Sweat, Gervon Dexter and Andrew Billings.

Jarrett is entering his 11th NFL season and is a two-time Pro Bowler. He had 53 total tackles, 12 quarterback hits and 2.5 sacks in 2024.

Chicago went 5-12 in 2024 and missed the postseason for the fourth consecutive season. The team fired head coach Matt Eberflus during the season and hired Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as the team's next head coach.

The Bears will contend with a difficult division that saw the other three teams qualify for the playoffs in 2024. Still, the front on both sides of the ball will be much more formidable as the team looks to capitalize on the young talent on the roster.