Grady Jarrett

Career StatsB

Year	Team	GP	Sacks	Tkl	TFL
Career		166	38.0	535	73.5
2025		14	1.5	39	3.5
2024		17	2.5	53	12.5
2023		8

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Bears took a calculated gamble on veteran presence that looks like a slight overpay given the production mismatch. Jarrett's $14.3M AAV puts him in starting defensive end territory, but his current output aligns more with a rotational player role — creating an immediate disconnect between salary and on-field value that earns a C- CVI. At 31, the former Falcons stalwart is likely past his prime pass-rushing days, making this three-year commitment particularly risky given the backloaded guaranteed money structure. The $27.3M in guarantees provides Chicago with some flexibility to move on after two seasons, but they're essentially betting $42.8M total that Jarrett can elevate his game back to above-average starter level in a new system. This feels like the Bears prioritizing leadership and veteran savvy over pure value efficiency — a defensible roster-building philosophy, but one that rarely grades out favorably from a pure contract value perspective.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Grady's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Grady Jarrett remains a recognizable veteran presence on the Bears' defensive line after 11 seasons and 166 career games, though his current-season production reflects an aging edge rusher in decline. The 33-year-old still commands respect as a run-game contributor and locker-room fixture, yet his B-grade assessment masks a sharper downward trajectory across 2025. Where Jarrett once anchored Atlanta's defense as a consistent mid-tier pass rusher, he now occupies a complementary role in Chicago's rotation. This season, Jarrett's sack rate sits at 0.11 per game—well below the NFL average of 0.19 and a far cry from the 0.66 elite standard. His tackle-for-loss production of 0.25 per game also trails marginally behind the league average of 0.27, suggesting diminished penetration and gap discipline. However, one bright spot emerges: his 0.57 QB hits per game exceeds the NFL average of 0.43, indicating he still generates pressure and disruption even when sacks don't materialize. That metric provides modest optimism, though it underscores a career reality—pressure without finishing power. Jarrett's grade dropped from a C+ in 2024 to a D+ in 2025, signaling accelerating decline in a market where veteran depth pieces face constant evaluation. The Bears should anticipate continued erosion unless he rediscovers the discipline and leverage that defined his prime Atlanta years. Watch whether his pressure rate sustains or further detaches from his sack output, as that gap will determine if he remains a rotational asset or becomes expendable next offseason.

How Grady Compares at the Position

Grady Jarrett ranks 31st of 147 graded defensive ends by performance. That slots Grady between Leonard Floyd (B) just ahead and Dorance Armstrong (B-) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Grady Jarrett enters 2026 as a respected veteran defensive end with a decade-plus of NFL experience, positioned as a cornerstone of the Chicago Bears' defensive line rebuild. Media coverage is decidedly optimistic, highlighting his leadership confidence and accountability following a disappointing first season in Chicago—a narrative that frames him as a motivated, self-aware player rather than a declining asset. His ranking at No. 6 among Bears' most important players and the emphasis on a "surprising upward trend" suggest the organization and local media view him as central to defensive improvement, not a sunk cost. Fan and analyst perception reflects cautious optimism: Jarrett is seen as a proven, durable pass rusher capable of bounce-back production, though his lack of All-Pro credentials and modest sack totals (38 career) temper expectations of elite-tier impact. Overall, Jarrett's perception heading into 2026 is that of a solid, motivated veteran with a clear redemption narrative—respected but not celebrated as a star, with his value contingent on demonstrable performance improvement.