Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles is sparing no expense when it comes to improving the offensive and defensive lines going into the 2025 season. The Bears continued to pour resources into those positions when they signed former Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl defensive tackle Grady Jarrett to a three-year deal worth $43.5 million and $28.5 million guaranteed.
Jarrett was a Falcons staple over the last 10 years after being selected in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Clemson. After a couple of years, he became a star defensive tackle and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2019 and 2020.
Last season, Jarrett totaled 53 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 12 QB hits while starting all 17 games. Jarrett is third all-time in Falcons history with 77 tackles for loss and has the third-most sacks of any defensive tackle in franchise history with 36.5.
Now, Jarrett comes to Chicago to fortify their defensive line with the likes of Andrew Billings and Gervon Dexter. Though he will be 32 years old, Jarrett still has enough gas in the tank to make a sizeable impact over the next couple of seasons.
The news of the signing came as a surprise to many Bears fans, though most of them seem excited and happy about the continued push to improve the line play. Here are some of the reactions on social media.
NFL world reacts to Bears’ expected signing of Grady Jarrett
Had the chance to spend a lot of time with Grady Jarrett at the Super Bowl. He was the Falcons’ @WalterPayton Man of the Year nominee—one heck of a player, but an even better man. Can’t wait to break bread with him when he gets to CHI! #Bears
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) March 10, 2025
Watching some Grady Jarrett tape and wondering if the people mad about signing him have seen it lol still a pretty great player and will benefit from the IDL rotation the Bears have set up
— I🧸 (@ilannfl) March 10, 2025
Been a fan of Grady Jarrett for a long time. Always thought he was underrated, even when he was second-team All Pro. Extremely durable and bounced back from his torn ACL well. Can still play.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) March 10, 2025
Giving legendary #Bears senior assistant Bill Johnson a DT like Grady Jarrett is going to be broken on so many levels.
— Erik Duerrwaechter (@EDuerrwaechter) March 10, 2025
New Bears DC Dennis Allen has seen a lot of Grady Jarrett over the years so I trust that he knows he’s a great fit for this scheme.
— Matt Eurich (@MattEurich) March 10, 2025
Bears my early pick for team that has improved the most this off-season. Grady Jarrett and Joe Thuney are very much needed veterans who still have plenty left in the tank.
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) March 10, 2025
Rotation of Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter, and Andrew Billings on the inside is going to be unreal
— DaWindyCity Productions (@dwcprodz) March 10, 2025
Obviously Grady Jarrett will be in the HOF conversation at some point and has been a dominant pass rusher.A little rich and risky at his age.
But you need to imagine Jarrett, not having to play as many run downs and just getting to pass rush much fresher.
— Velus Jones Memorial Scholarship (@DarrylConrad) March 10, 2025
He’s older. Definitely on the back end of his career but undoubtedly an upgrade. Will be a noticeable difference maker
— Duncan Beck (@duncan_beck88) March 10, 2025
Grady Jarrett, now a new Bear, has been an absolute tone-setter over his first 10 seasons in the NFL. Powerful, quick, nasty. He’s durable. He’s disruptive. He injects the entire unit with an edge.At 31, the big question is how much he last left in the fuel tank.
⛽️
— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) March 10, 2025
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears sign DT Grady Jarrett: Social media reactions