As Chicago Bears training camp is well underway, and concern has mounted around the team's 2026 pass rush. There is reason to wonder if Chicago's young pieces and Montez Sweat are enough to get Dennis Allen's unit the consistent presence in the offensive backfield that is needed. With this in mind, there is one clear upgrade that is going underrated in veteran defensive lineman Grady Jarrett. The aging star is coming off what was objectively the worst season of his career, with a knee injury appearing to limit his impact and leaving fans pointing to the free agency addition as a rare failed move for Ryan Poles.
While this was a fair assessment based on last season, it is important not to discount the potential impact Jarrett can have. The defender played in one Super Bowl with the Atlanta Falcons and piled up 3.0 sacks in a game that was unquestionably a defining performance of the lineman's career. Jarrett has consistently made game-winning plays in his career and has gone underrated based on the bulk of this time being spent with a losing franchise.
,Jarrett took a step back last season and garnered only a 56.7 PFF rating last season exposing just how much of a step back it was for a typically productive player. Everything about Jarrett's career suggests that last season's poor performance was due to injuries holding back his ability, leaving hope that the 2026 season proves to be a breakout season for last year's free agent signing.
Bears Have Every Reason to Believe Grady Jarrett will Return to Form in 2026 Season
Having Jarrett playing at a high level on the inside takes away a lot of the concern when it comes to Chicago's pass rush. This isn't due to huge sack numbers that Jarrett himself will put up, but a consistent physicality on the inside that eats double teams and demands attention, allowing your edge rushers to win far more easily and provide the consistent impact that fans are worried about finding in the year ahead.
This version of Jarrett showing up instantly changes expectations for the defense of Dennis Allen. It takes the line from a potential weakness to one that has a chance to be more than capable of helping support a deep playoff run. With this in mind, Jarrett's health and performance should have the attention of fans as we move closer to the regular season.
Signs that last season's knee injuries are firmly behind the veteran will only fuel the belief that the year ahead will be one that turns back the clock for Jarrett. It is a hope founded on a career full of overlooked production and a clear need for the aging defender to deliver after last year's frustrations.
| More Bears News and Rumors |
Add us as a preferred source on Google