The Chicago Bears used the first three weeks of NFL free agency to address their defensive shortcomings. Even though the likes of Neville Gallimore, Coby Bryant, and Cam Lewis will make defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's life easier, the Bears still have enough time to add even more defenders with the 2026 NFL draft approaching in less than a month.
While that's great news for Allen's job next season, it might not be the case for some underperforming players. That list may include veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, whose performances left plenty to be desired last season.
Grady Jarrett's Seat Is Heating Up
Throughout the offseason, the Bears have been linked to multiple defensive tackle prospects, with some mock drafts having the likes of Ohio State's Kayden McDonald or Florida's Caleb Banks landing in Chicago. With that in mind, Jarrett will probably get plenty of clarity about his role after the draft wraps up at the end of the month.
The Bears signed Jarrett to a three-year, $42.75 million contract last offseason. The former Atlanta Falcons star will make an average of $14.25 million per season, a reasonable figure for an accomplished run-stopper like him.
However, that run-stopping prowess was nowhere to be found in his first season in the Windy City. Pro Football Focus gave him a 44.5 run defense grade, ranking 105th among 134 eligible defensive linemen. He only had 15 run stops in 207 run defense snaps, and his 27 solo tackles were also underwhelming.
To be fair, Jarrett was a bit banged up. He struggled with a knee injury early in the campaign, so perhaps he never truly got his legs back under him. Also, another full training camp with Allen should help him better embrace the defensive system.
Margin for Error Is Small
That said, the NFL is a ruthless business that doesn't wait for anybody, and the Bears can't afford to just rest on their laurels and hope that Jarrett gets it together again. If anything, he'll be 33 next season, so chances are that he's not going to get any healthier or better.
The Bears won't be satisfied with an encore performance from last year. They already signed Gallimore, James Lynch, and Kentavius Street to bolster the D-line, and while most of them will only be depth pieces, that doesn't mean they won't be given a chance to steal some of Jarrett's snaps.
The NFC North is likely the toughest division in the league right now. The Bears need to stop Jahmyr Gibbs and Josh Jacobs twice a year, and now that the Minnesota Vikings have added a scrambling quarterback in Kyler Murray, they need to do a much better job of stacking the box and protecting the middle of the field.
If the Bears think Garrett can be an asset in that regard, his job is likely safe. However, if the coaching staff and front office have any doubts, don't be surprised if a potential replacement or competition is added in the coming weeks.