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 is a 11-year veteran interior disruptor who carved out a legitimate Pro Bowl-caliber career as Atlanta's anchor before landing in Chicago. He earns a B overall grade, reflecting a decorated body of work that outpaces what his current-season numbers alone would suggest. Among veteran defensive tackles, Jarrett remains a respected presence, though his best days appear to be receding in the rearview. His QB hit rate of 0.57 per game actually exceeds the NFL average of 0.43, showing he still possesses the hand-fighting quickness to trouble interior linemen. However, his sack rate of 0.11 per game falls well below the league average of 0.19, and his TFL rate of 0.25 nearly matches the NFL norm of 0.27 without crossing into impact territory. The concern isn't effort — it's finishing, as Jarrett is generating pressure without converting it into splash plays. His season trend tells a sobering story: after a C in 2023 and a modest C+ in 2024, Jarrett has slipped to a D+ in 2025, signaling meaningful decline rather than a temporary dip. At 33, the realistic ceiling is a rotational contributor who provides veteran leadership and occasional interior push. Chicago should monitor whether his pressure generation can translate into turnovers or sacks, or whether a reduced role better suits this stage of his career.

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 lineman whose media perception has stabilized around a competent, self-aware starter rather than a star. His first season with Chicago (2025) underperformed relative to expectations, but recent headlines emphasize his accountability and role as a defensive anchor—language that resonates positively with fan bases valuing veteran leadership. The absence of Pro Bowl or All-Pro recognition keeps his reputation tier anchored in the solid-starter range, though his 11-year tenure and 38-sack career provide credibility. Media coverage leans constructive rather than critical, with narratives framing him as a stabilizing presence rather than a declining asset, suggesting fans view him as a dependable if unspectacular contributor. Heading into 2026, perception hinges on whether he can deliver the improved performance he publicly committed to, with fan sentiment cautiously optimistic but not elevated to star-tier expectations.