Bears sign DT Grady Jarrett to 3-year $43.5 million deal

[wab]

One other, very important, thing to note. 2017-2020 he was playing 3T in a 4-3. 2021-2024 he was playing 5T in a 3-4.

I bow to your extraordinary in-depth knowledge!

I don't think he's going to be as effective/productive as he was when he was 23, but he'll be asked to do more of the stuff he did from 2017-2020. They only have him for 2 years, so it's worth finding out.

[HurricaneBear]

His prime years were 2017 to 2020. (Advanced stats weren't introduced until 2018.)

• 2018: 14 games, 711 snaps (74%), 6.0 sacks, 7 knockdowns, 14 hurries for 28 total pressures

• 2019: 16 games, 806 snaps (77%), 7.5 sacks, 8 knockdowns, 10 hurries for 26 total pressures (2nd Team All Pro, Pro Bowl)

• 2020: 16 games, 852 snaps (79%), 4.0 sacks, 16 knockdowns, 9 hurries for 30 total pressures (Pro Bowl)

In more recent years he's been less effective as a pass rusher.

• 2021: 17 games, 865 snaps (74%), 1.0 sack, 10 knockdowns, 6 hurries for 17 total pressures

• 2022: 17 games, 856 snaps (76%), 6.0 sacks, 11 knockdowns, 4 hurries for 22 total pressures

• 2023: 8 games, 318 snaps (62%), 1.5 sacks, 6 knockdowns, 2 hurries for 10 total pressures

• 2024: 17 games, 744 snaps (67%), 2.5 sacks, 8 knockdowns, 7 hurries for 18 total pressures

HIs overall tackle numbers have held up, typically 50 - 60 a year with 30 to 40 solo which is admirable, although he does miss a fair few (8.7% over the last 7 seasons including 4 with over 10%). I wonder if that's because he's playing at speed and being disruptive even if he isn't always the one who brings the ball carrier down?

One other, very important, thing to note. 2017-2020 he was playing 3T in a 4-3. 2021-2024 he was playing 5T in a 3-4.

Just a hunch, but that seems like it could have a significant effective on his production.

[Bearfacts]

And he'll be playing as a 3 tech for the Bears which is where he's been most effective. Jarrett is well past his prime but even age 32 he's still better than a whole lot of DT. He can still play the game he loves.

[dplank]

Calais Campbell is 38 and still can play. 32 feels like "tail end of their prime / entering the later stage of their career" type number. I expect 2 good years out of Jarrett.

[malk]

Calais Campbell is 38 and still can play. 32 feels like "tail end of their prime / entering the later stage of their career" type number. I expect 2 good years out of Jarrett.

I really hope we start managing snaps as well. Whilst we're not in a position where we can mothball players until the playoffs I do think we can try to be proactive in keeping the in season wear down on our key vets with the hope they're a bit fresher in key games, preferably post season ones.

[dplank]

Calais Campbell is 38 and still can play. 32 feels like "tail end of their prime / entering the later stage of their career" type number. I expect 2 good years out of Jarrett.

I really hope we start managing snaps as well. Whilst we're not in a position where we can mothball players until the playoffs I do think we can try to be proactive in keeping the in season wear down on our key vets with the hope they're a bit fresher in key games, preferably post season ones.

Yep, agree, and is a big reason why I think we will see a DL taken at #10

[RichH55]

32 isn’t that old and he was first year back after his injury. This was a good signing and IDGAF if we overpaid a little.

I think he will earn a lot of fans with his play on the field!

32 is decently old in types that play his style - Maybe you get some John Randle style later years (still good at 34)

But guys like C. Campbell are very much outliers (and he plays a different style anyway)

And it could be a MASSIVE overpay. If you overpaid "a little" - that's really not the end of the world on most FAs (it's borderline a best case result actually for Day 1 guys)

But if he's a declining player - then you could be looking at a big loss.

IDGAF is a Ryan Pace motto - so be careful with it

[Grizzled]

Gotta like this. Jarrett and several of the Bears DL working out together at the University of Miami already. Picture Dexter with Jarrett's explosive first step:

https://www.sportsmockery.com/chicago-b ... teammates/

[wab]

Gotta like this. Jarrett and several of the Bears DL working out together at the University of Miami already. Picture Dexter with Jarrett's explosive first step:

https://www.sportsmockery.com/chicago-b ... teammates/

Cool video. Chris Williams might be a sleeper on this DL. He's quick.

[Grizzled]

Gotta like this. Jarrett and several of the Bears DL working out together at the University of Miami already. Picture Dexter with Jarrett's explosive first step:

https://www.sportsmockery.com/chicago-b ... teammates/

Cool video. Chris Williams might be a sleeper on this DL. He's quick.

As the Eagles (and previously the Bucs) showed against the Chiefs, waves of pressure can subdue even the best of teams. Williams has shown he can be part of the DL rotation. The Bears drafting another at 10 or with a 2nd or 3rd just adds to the depth.

[Bearfacts]

Poles was wise to tender Chris Williams. He was the second best DT on the team. Some seemed unhappy with that decision but it should prove beneficial.

[dplank]

Williams sux

[wab]

Williams sux

The Bears seem to think he’s worth almost 4million - yes I realize he can be cut with no ramifications, but why do it in the first place if they don’t like him.

[dplank]

Williams sux

The Bears seem to think he’s worth almost 4million - yes I realize he can be cut with no ramifications, but why do it in the first place if they don’t like him.

I didn't say they didn't like him, I just think he sux lol...Billings went out, he got a lot of those reps, and our run defense turned into absolute garbage. Maybe he was out of position, Poles really needed to have a backup fatty but instead he had a bunch of poor mans 3T types. You could do worse for your 9th DL player, but I wouldn't have paid him like that.

[Bearfacts]

Williams sux

Everyone wants to be a critic these days. After Billings went down he was the only other DT making some plays.

[RichH55]

The Bears seem to think he’s worth almost 4million - yes I realize he can be cut with no ramifications, but why do it in the first place if they don’t like him.

I didn't say they didn't like him, I just think he sux lol...Billings went out, he got a lot of those reps, and our run defense turned into absolute garbage. Maybe he was out of position, Poles really needed to have a backup fatty but instead he had a bunch of poor mans 3T types. You could do worse for your 9th DL player, but I wouldn't have paid him like that.

We are really ping ponging between IDGAF what he costs and I wouldnt have paid him like that.

Its just weird when the I dont care is like 30+ Guaranteed and the Wouldnt pay him like that is like 4 million IF you prove it and bubkis if you dont.

[RichH55]

The Bears seem to think he’s worth almost 4million - yes I realize he can be cut with no ramifications, but why do it in the first place if they don’t like him.

I didn't say they didn't like him, I just think he sux lol...Billings went out, he got a lot of those reps, and our run defense turned into absolute garbage. Maybe he was out of position, Poles really needed to have a backup fatty but instead he had a bunch of poor mans 3T types. You could do worse for your 9th DL player, but I wouldn't have paid him like that.

Its also poor logic.

If you are blaming the GM (as per usual) on roster depth re: player types as to DT ......How is it Williams fault that he isn't a fattie but instead is a 3T type? (We also fired the guy running the Defense then too....who wasn't bad at that part of Coaching)

That just seems like a particularly poor way to scout the player - for better or worse

[thunderspirit]

The Bears seem to think he’s worth almost 4million - yes I realize he can be cut with no ramifications, but why do it in the first place if they don’t like him.

I didn't say they didn't like him, I just think he sux lol...Billings went out, he got a lot of those reps, and our run defense turned into absolute garbage. Maybe he was out of position, Poles really needed to have a backup fatty but instead he had a bunch of poor mans 3T types. You could do worse for your 9th DL player, but I wouldn't have paid him like that.

He wasn't added as a replacement for Billings, though; he wound up playing there because they were running out if bodies. He's a less talented, more productive version of Zacch Pickens.

That the Bears threw some coin his way is as much an indictment of Pickens as it is an endorsement of Williams.

[dplank]

I didn't say they didn't like him, I just think he sux lol...Billings went out, he got a lot of those reps, and our run defense turned into absolute garbage. Maybe he was out of position, Poles really needed to have a backup fatty but instead he had a bunch of poor mans 3T types. You could do worse for your 9th DL player, but I wouldn't have paid him like that.

We are really ping ponging between IDGAF what he costs and I wouldnt have paid him like that.

Its just weird when the I dont care is like 30+ Guaranteed and the Wouldnt pay him like that is like 4 million IF you prove it and bubkis if you dont.

Logic is clearly not a strong suit of yours. Let me help you....

IDGAF if we overpay a bit for a really good player. I do care if we overpay for a bad one.

[HurricaneBear]

I concur, Williams sucks. I wouldn't have paid him that.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

I don't get the issue with Williams. The Bears saw enough in him to be interested in how he might develop. Tendering him ensured they retained him, but with no guaranteed money if he doesn't impress enough before the season rolls around they can move on at zero cost. On the other hand if he proves a solid part of the interior rotation he'll be worth his modest £3.263m. The Bears aren't tight to the cap and still have room to make further moves.

[Shadow]

Tendering Williams is just a smart move. Letting him go just created another hole, so that is not smart. He can prove himself and earn that money. If he does not prove anything he gets cut and the Bears lose nothing. The off season roster is 90 players. You can fill that with guys that might make it with a new staff in place and a new look at position placement. Or you can fill that roster space with unknown UDFA's that will never sniff a roster spot. Bears fans always bemoan the lack of player development in Chicago, but when the Bears opt to go that route, fans complain about a waste of Cap Space.!?? This is a no lose situation. Williams costs nothing unless he succeeds. He succeeds and the fan base will be calling Poles a Genius again!

[dplank]

I don't get the issue with Williams. The Bears saw enough in him to be interested in how he might develop. Tendering him ensured they retained him, but with no guaranteed money if he doesn't impress enough before the season rolls around they can move on at zero cost. On the other hand if he proves a solid part of the interior rotation he'll be worth his modest £3.263m. The Bears aren't tight to the cap and still have room to make further moves.

I think the primary issue is that he sux against the run. He flashed a couple pass rushes but he was the primary candidate to look at when our run defense fell off a cliff after Billings injury. That's just a hard no for me from a DT. For that same 3M I'd rather have brought Tev back as a reserve, he's a MUCH better player at the same price, and has a higher probability of playing meaningful snaps.

[Moriarty]

Tendering Williams is just a smart move. Letting him go just created another hole, so that is not smart. He can prove himself and earn that money. If he does not prove anything he gets cut and the Bears lose nothing.

I suppose that is technically true.
However, I'm uncertain that the Bears are really looking at it that way and would be willing to cut bait if they land a good DT in the draft.

I can't recall the Bears ever RFA tendering someone and then cutting them before the season. Have they? Do other teams do this?

[wab]

Tendering Williams is just a smart move. Letting him go just created another hole, so that is not smart. He can prove himself and earn that money. If he does not prove anything he gets cut and the Bears lose nothing.

I suppose that is technically true.
However, I'm uncertain that the Bears are really looking at it that way and would be willing to cut bait if they land a good DT in the draft.

I can't recall the Bears ever RFA tendering someone and then cutting them before the season. Have they? Do other teams do this?

I'm sure it's probably happened (in the NFL at least) but I would guess it's very uncommon.

[Bearfacts]

I don't get the issue with Williams. The Bears saw enough in him to be interested in how he might develop. Tendering him ensured they retained him, but with no guaranteed money if he doesn't impress enough before the season rolls around they can move on at zero cost. On the other hand if he proves a solid part of the interior rotation he'll be worth his modest £3.263m. The Bears aren't tight to the cap and still have room to make further moves.

Ah....logic does prevail.

This is precisely how to view it. Given that Pickens has been pretty much a failure so far and Williams has not keeping Williams around through camp on a RFA tender made sense. This also took place before we signed Jarrett but he will need another 3 tech to rotate with him. Williams could be that guy and at worst he'll push Pickens for the spot or he'll push him off the roster.

Anyone who takes the time to look at Williams stats as purely a rotational guy can't claim he sucks. He played productively both against the run and as a pass rusher. Is he starting caliber? No, but he's not expected to be or being paid like one. He's just a guy with a shot of making the 53 man roster like he did last season.

[Bearfacts]

I don't get the issue with Williams. The Bears saw enough in him to be interested in how he might develop. Tendering him ensured they retained him, but with no guaranteed money if he doesn't impress enough before the season rolls around they can move on at zero cost. On the other hand if he proves a solid part of the interior rotation he'll be worth his modest £3.263m. The Bears aren't tight to the cap and still have room to make further moves.

I think the primary issue is that he sux against the run. He flashed a couple pass rushes but he was the primary candidate to look at when our run defense fell off a cliff after Billings injury. That's just a hard no for me from a DT. For that same 3M I'd rather have brought Tev back as a reserve, he's a MUCH better player at the same price, and has a higher probability of playing meaningful snaps.

If you look at his stats (have you) he didn't suck against the run but you can't compare him to Billings whose a NT when Williams played as a 3 tech. The guy who failed to step up his run defense when Billings went down was Dexter and Pickens never has been good at playing the run. He was the starter after Billings not Williams.

And forget about bringing TJ back. He would not have agreed to the kind of offer you're suggesting before shopping himself in FA. That's where he found out that every other NFL team was as wary of his injury history as we were. TJ wasn't gonna stay on in Chicago as a $4-$5 mil backup and he lucked into the Cleveland deal.

[dplank]

I think the primary issue is that he sux against the run. He flashed a couple pass rushes but he was the primary candidate to look at when our run defense fell off a cliff after Billings injury. That's just a hard no for me from a DT. For that same 3M I'd rather have brought Tev back as a reserve, he's a MUCH better player at the same price, and has a higher probability of playing meaningful snaps.

If you look at his stats (have you) he didn't suck against the run but you can't compare him to Billings whose a NT when Williams played as a 3 tech. The guy who failed to step up his run defense when Billings went down was Dexter and Pickens never has been good at playing the run. He was the starter after Billings not Williams.

And forget about bringing TJ back. He would not have agreed to the kind of offer you're suggesting before shopping himself in FA. That's where he found out that every other NFL team was as wary of his injury history as we were. TJ wasn't gonna stay on in Chicago as a $4-$5 mil backup and he lucked into the Cleveland deal.

I don't think this is true, they had Dexter playing a pass rush role and I don't believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that they changed his position/role after Billings went out. Like, I don't think Billings went out, and Dex slid over to his role and Williams took over for Dex's old role.

And if he did....then shit man, that's really bad for us. If Dex is that bad against the run then I don't like him nearly as much. Let's not logic this into a pretzel, either Williams sux against the run or Dex does - I think it's Williams - but the dramatic dropoff when Billings went out was immediate and obvious. And if you're going to see "they actually had 3 3T's and only 1 1T on the roster", then that's just a massive Poles fuck up. The answer cannot be 1) Poles did his job 2) Dex is a really good player encroaching on Jalen Carter status and 3) Williams is a decent DT - something has to give somewhere in this list. Pick your poison cause in this case you can't blame coaching for it all.

[wab]

If you look at his stats (have you) he didn't suck against the run but you can't compare him to Billings whose a NT when Williams played as a 3 tech. The guy who failed to step up his run defense when Billings went down was Dexter and Pickens never has been good at playing the run. He was the starter after Billings not Williams.

And forget about bringing TJ back. He would not have agreed to the kind of offer you're suggesting before shopping himself in FA. That's where he found out that every other NFL team was as wary of his injury history as we were. TJ wasn't gonna stay on in Chicago as a $4-$5 mil backup and he lucked into the Cleveland deal.

I don't think this is true, they had Dexter playing a pass rush role and I don't believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that they changed his position/role after Billings went out. Like, I don't think Billings went out, and Dex slid over to his role and Williams took over for Dex's old role.

And if he did....then shit man, that's really bad for us. If Dex is that bad against the run then I don't like him nearly as much. Let's not logic this into a pretzel, either Williams sux against the run or Dex does - I think it's Williams - but the dramatic dropoff when Billings went out was immediate and obvious. And if you're going to see "they actually had 3 3T's and only 1 1T on the roster", then that's just a massive Poles fuck up. The answer cannot be 1) Poles did his job 2) Dex is a really good player encroaching on Jalen Carter status and 3) Williams is a decent DT - something has to give somewhere in this list. Pick your poison cause in this case you can't blame coaching for it all.

Neither are particularly good at the run, but it's also the way Flus had the DTs playing. His philosophy was "stop the run on the way to the QB" so it wasn't a huge priority until the offense was inside the 15. The whole idea was to take away the run by getting the offense behind the chains.

Playing the run was way down the list of priorities in that defense.

[dplank]

I don't think this is true, they had Dexter playing a pass rush role and I don't believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that they changed his position/role after Billings went out. Like, I don't think Billings went out, and Dex slid over to his role and Williams took over for Dex's old role.

And if he did....then shit man, that's really bad for us. If Dex is that bad against the run then I don't like him nearly as much. Let's not logic this into a pretzel, either Williams sux against the run or Dex does - I think it's Williams - but the dramatic dropoff when Billings went out was immediate and obvious. And if you're going to see "they actually had 3 3T's and only 1 1T on the roster", then that's just a massive Poles fuck up. The answer cannot be 1) Poles did his job 2) Dex is a really good player encroaching on Jalen Carter status and 3) Williams is a decent DT - something has to give somewhere in this list. Pick your poison cause in this case you can't blame coaching for it all.

Neither are particularly good at the run, but it's also the way Flus had the DTs playing. His philosophy was "stop the run on the way to the QB" so it wasn't a huge priority until the offense was inside the 15. The whole idea was to take away the run by getting the offense behind the chains.

Playing the run was way down the list of priorities in that defense.

I'm don't think this is right. Eberflus basic principals are getting turnovers, stopping the run, and good red zone defense (bend don't break bullshit)... this article after the Cowboys just hired him confirms this https://www.nfl.com/news/matt-eberflus- ... -ball-away

If playing the run was down the list of priorities, then a guy like Billings doesn't really have a place on the roster as he's a pure run stuffer - but they not only signed him as a FA they extended him under Flus. It's also just common sense, every defense starts with stopping the run. Nothing else works otherwise.

I'm not sure which thing is true, but I know for certain at least one of these things is true (probably more than one): either Poles fucked up by having no backup 1T on the roster, or Dex is a terrible run defender, or Williams is a terrible run defender. IMO it's most likely that Poles had a bad plan here, most of us saw the need for another fatty on the roster but we just never added one.