The Chicago Bears entered the 2026 NFL Draft with major needs on defense. They had to add help in the front seven, and going after a cornerback or safety was also near the top of the priority list. They addressed the secondary, but the defensive line is still a work in progress.
While that's not great news for defensive coordinator Dennis Allen or the fans, Grady Jarrett can probably take a deep breath and unpack his bags now. Despite having multiple opportunities to find his replacement, the Bears ignored this need time and time again.
Grady Jarrett Needs to Pay Back the Confidence
Jarrett was borderline unplayable in the first year of his three-year, $42.75 million contract. He failed to live up to his reputation as a prime run-stopper, and even though he dealt with some injuries, he was reportedly healthy for most of the second half of the campaign.
The Bears took Georgia Tech DT Jordan van den Berg with their final pick of the evening. Despite the addition, it's hard to believe a former rugby player taken No. 213 overall poses an actual threat to a proven veteran making over $14 million a year. Jarrett should seriously consider retirement if that's the case.
Dennis Allen's defense allowed 134.5 rushing yards per game last season, the sixth-most in the league. Jarrett played a big role in that, as shown by his atrocious run-defense grade of 44.5. The Pro Football Focus rating system ranked the veteran 105th among 134 eligible defensive linemen, making it, by far, the worst grade of his 11-year career.
All in all, Jarrett finished the campaign with 35 total tackles (27 solo), 15 run stops, 21 total pressures, 12 hurries, six QB hits, three sacks, and three batted passes, missing three of 17 regular-season games. He also missed 10.9 percent of his tackles.
Chicago seems to be betting that Jarrett needed more time to adjust to Dennis Allen's scheme. Perhaps he was never truly healthy, and having another full training camp to get his legs back under him will be just what he needs to recover the strong form he showed with the Atlanta Falcons.
Whatever the case, the Bears are playing a dangerous game by just hoping Jarrett can get it together after what he showed this past season. Signing Neville Gallimore gives Chicago a solid backup and rotational piece, but he's not a starting-caliber defensive tackle for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
There aren't many high-end options in free agency, and with the Bears sitting on just $10.79 million in available cap space (via Over The Cap), they might be stuck with their aging and overpriced former Pro Bowler for a while.
One way or another, now that Jarrett has all but received a vote of confidence from the front office and coaching staff, the defensive tackle should feel the pressure to perform the moment he arrives at Halas Hall.
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