First the Bears remodeled their offensive line, then they started stacking up pieces on the defensive line.
The team agreed to a deal for veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett for $43.5 million over three years Monday, a source said, shortly after agreeing to sign defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo. He played 10 seasons for the Falcons, including starting every game last season, and made the Pro Bowl in 2019 and ’20. They released him early Monday.
Because Jarrett already was released by the Falcons, the Bears are free to finalize the deal at any time rather than waiting for the new league year to begin Wednesday.
The Bears picked up Jarrett, 31, as part of a major overhaul on both lines of scrimmage. Adding a player of his caliber allows them to build depth with either Gervon Dexter or Andrew Billings moving to a backup role.
The Falcons drafted Jarrett in the fifth round out of Clemson in 2015 and he quickly became indispensable. He totaled 36 1/2 sacks, 126 quarterback hits, 496 tackles, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in his decade in Atlanta.
