The Chicago Bears made a bunch of changes this offseason and some carry more weight than others. Ben Johnson’s arrival was the biggest headline since the Bears wrapped up a disappointing 5-12 campaign and the trades to solidify the middle of the offensive line has Chicago feeling optimistic about what it can be in 2025.
While protecting Caleb Williams was a priority, so was fixing a defense that allowed the second-most yards per play last season. It took another veteran addition to make that happen and it could have added benefits in the short and long term as he begins his first season with the Bears.
Grady Jarrett’s Leadership Is Already Rubbing Off on Bears Rookie Shemar Turner
The Bears first big move of free agency was to sign former Atlanta Falcons star Grady Jarrett. Jarrett is a two-time Pro Bowler and was an effective player in Atlanta last season with 53 total tackles, nine tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. But his addition is worth more than the three-year, $42.75 million contract he signed.
Scott Bair of Marquee Sports wrote about Jarrett’s mentorship of Bears rookie Shemar Turner. While Turner admitted he looked up to Jarrett when he sacked Tom Brady in Super Bowl LI and studied him as he prepared for the NFL, Jarrett told Bair that he wants to “run parallel” with Turner as he begins his first season in the league.
“Go ball and do your thing and know that it’s a brotherhood. I have to be what,10 years older than him? I want it to be like we’re running parallel. When we’re working out, don’t be afraid to speak to me. Encourage me, too. I always enjoy it when the younger guys come in.”
Jarrett’s approach to mentorship is a refreshing change. When a team invests a second-round pick on a player such as Turner, it can create friction among veterans that believe a player is coming to take his job. Instead, Jarrett wants to work with Turner as opposed to against him and has already caught the attention of his younger teammate.
In the short term Jarrett can help Turner get up to speed to form a strong interior of the defensive line along with Gervon Dexter Jr. and Andrew Billings. If that happens, Turner could be in a position to thrive in his rookie year and pay Jarrett’s respect forward to any future Bears that come to Chicago.