The Chicago Bears desperately need some help in the trenches. The defensive line didn't put much pressure on the quarterback last season, and giving passers a clean pocket is often a recipe for disaster.
Also, they gave up the sixth-most rushing yards per game (134.5), and that's not going to cut it in a division that features the likes of Jahmyr Gibbs and Josh Jacobs. That's why Grady Jarrett's miscues cannot be tolerated for much longer, and why he might be one of the odd men out after the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Bears Might Draft Grady Jarrett's Replacement
The Bears have been tied to multiple options at No. 25. Notably, the only thing they have in common is that they're all defensive players. Some argue that they might lean toward Emmanuel McNeil-Warren of Toledo to help the secondary, while others have pass-rushers like Keldric Faulk of Auburn or Akheem Mesidor of Miami.
Nevertheless, if they truly want to land a difference-maker who can start from day one, they should target Clemson's Peter Woods or Ohio State's Kayden McDonald. Those are the top two defensive tackles in this class, and unlike the aforementioned players, they might be available by the time they're on the clock.
Even if that's not the case, they can always get Florida's Caleb Banks, Georgia's Christen Miller, or Texas Tech's Lee Hunter with their second-round selection. Whatever the case, this is a position they must address, regardless of whether they do it on Day 1 or Day 2.
According to Over The Cap, cutting ties with Garrett after June 1 would actually save this team $675K in cap space. Admittedly, that's not a lot, but with money being so tight in the Windy City, every penny counts, especially with a full rookie class to sign. Even if they don't want to release him this offseason, adding a defensive tackle could mean the Bears are open to moving on from Jarrett following the 2026 season.
Moreover, Jarrett hasn't lived up to the expectations. The sample size is limited, and he was banged up for most of his lone season in Chicago, but aging players usually get more injury-prone, not healthier.
Jarrett arrived in Chicago as a two-time Pro Bowler, yet he only managed to log 39 total tackles (14 solo), one tackle for loss, eight QB hits, 1.5 sacks, and three passes defensed in 14 games, making just four starts.
He was also supposed to be a run-stopping specialist, and that was rarely the case. Pro Football Focus ranked him 105th among 134 eligible defensive linemen in run defense, giving him a 44.5 grade. He's still under contract for two more years, but with some fresh blood set to join the team, there's no need to extend his stay in Chicago any longer.
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