Grady Jarrett Admits He ‘Owes Chicago a Better Year’ After Disappointing Debut Season

Veteran DT Grady Jarrett aims to play a bigger role for the Bears in his second year after he was limited to backup role during his debut season.

Grady Jarrett Admits He ‘Owes Chicago a Better Year’ After Disappointing Debut Season

Grady Jarrett (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • Grady Jarrett signed a three-year, $43.5 million contract with the Chicago Bears after a disappointing debut season.
  • He aims to improve his performance following a knee injury that limited his playtime and effectiveness.
  • Jarrett expresses confidence in rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, drawing parallels to his former teammate Matt Ryan.

Grady Jarrett signed a three-year, $43.5 million contract with the Chicago Bears. His debut season in the NFC North did not pan out the way he had envisioned.

Jarrett, 33, aims to repay the Bears for trusting him with the investment. Speaking with reporters on Friday, Jarrett reflected on his first year in Chicago and announced that he’s excited for the new season.

I’m 33 years old now. It’s exciting to be feeling a lot better this year. I know I owe Chicago a better year and I’m excited to go do that.

Grady Jarrett said (H/T: NBC Sports)

Jarrett started the first three games for the Bears. A knee injury kept him out of the following three games. He returned to active duty but was mostly limited to a backup role. In 14 games, he racked up 39 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one TFL.

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Why did Grady Jarrett sign with the Chicago Bears?

Jarrett previously spent ten years with the Atlanta Falcons after the NFC South franchise selected him in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft. After 152 games, a couple of Pro Bowls, one All-Pro, and a Super Bowl appearance (in 2016-17), Jarrett left Atlanta for Chicago.

Grady Jarrett Admits He ‘Owes Chicago a Better Year’ After Disappointing Debut Season
#97 Grady Jarrett (Image via IMAGO)

Leaving Atlanta so late in his career wasn’t an easy decision for Jarrett, as most of his family lives in Georgia. He decided to take a leap of faith by choosing the Windy City.

In a recent appearance on the ESPN Chicago radio show with Waddle and Silvy, Jarrett revealed that an opportunity opened up in Chicago, with a rookie head coach at the helm. He wanted to help the team take the next step.

Thought I could bring a lot of value being part of a new coaching staff and the piece we need leadership and we also needed some more good players… I wanted to come and challenge myself and not just take the golden opportunity to hang up and just look at the things I have accomplished because there’s so much more that I want to accomplish.

The best is yet to come from Grady Jarrett

Even though he fell down the pecking order last year, Jarrett will stay in the mix to be a regular starter in 2026. To ensure that he’s in peak shape, the Clemson alum is grinding hard at the facility and in his spare time.

I am going out there to be the best. I am going out there trying to put my best foot forward and there’s nothing more prideful [as] a year 12 guy, to see myself going against some of these guys watched me when they was in middle school and high school get to compete… and try to beat them.

Grady Jarrett’s opinion on Bears quarterback Caleb Williams

The Bears drafted USC alum Caleb Williams first overall, aiming to turn him into their next franchise quarterback. A 5-12 rookie year wasn’t exactly what the Bears fans signed up for, but then the front office made the big move hiring offensive guru Ben Johnson as head coach. Williams led the Bears to an 11-6 regular season finish, earning the crown of the North.

Jarrett had a front-row seat to observe Williams’ growth.

Him still being able to still being a young player, still having so much growth ahead of him… I will speak mature, prematurely that I have known this… I don’t want to put a cap on things that he can accomplish.

Jarrett played with former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan for a long time before he hung up his boots to become the President of Football of the club. He sees a lot of Ryan in Williams.

I have been fortunate enough to play with Matt Ryan and see him… work, day in [and] day out… One of the things I always picked up from Matt, he never arrived, he always worked, he always put the grind together with everybody.

Williams completed 330 passes for 3942 yards, threw 27 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He registered more game-winning drives than any other quarterback in 2025.

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