Chicago Bears sneakiest 2025 NFL free agency signing…
Bears bring in Grady Jarrett, and the former Falcon could pay dividends..
The Chicago Bears have been one of the most active teams since the end of the 2024 NFL season. The biggest move was the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach. He was the architect of the Detroit Lions offense, a unit that was largely unstoppable for the majority of the season. Since the Bears offense was often confused during the 2024 season, the hiring of Johnson appears to be a major improvement.
An assessment of Chicago’s offensive problems last season also revealed major weaknesses on the offensive line. No matter how much of an accomplished strategist Johnson is, he won’t be able to work his magic unless the Bears get sufficient blocking up front. Since the Bears are counting on second-year quarterback Caleb Williams to step up dramatically in the upcoming season, general manager Ryan Poles made two huge moves in trading for Chiefs offensive guard Joe Thuney and signing Rams offensive guard Jonah Jackson.
These were hardly sneaky moves. They were much-needed developments that should give the Bears a chance to be an improved offensive team.
However, the Bears made a couple of additional moves in free agency, signing defensive tackle Grady Jarrett from the Atlanta Falcons and edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo from the Indianapolis Colts.
Odeyingbo was a 2nd-round choice out of Vanderbilt in 2021, and he had his best season in 2023 when he recorded 8.0 sacks. He has a chance to become a double-digit sack specialist with the Bears.
He has a chance to become a star with Chicago.
Jarrett is not a star at this point in his career, but he can become a difference maker
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett (97) leaves the field after the Falcons were defeated by the Carolina Panthers in overtime at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Jarrett will be 32 years old by the time the 2025 season gets underway and he is far from an imposing presence because he checks in at 6-0 and 288 pounds. In an era when defensive tackles are often 310 pounds or more, Jarrett is a smaller man who is not going to intimidate many interior offensive linemen.
