Latest news with #GradyJarrett
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Ben Johnson is bringing intensity to the Bears defense
When the Chicago Bears hired head coach Ben Johnson this offseason, they did so to help elevate the offense. But he's also bringing some energy to the defense. In his first year as a head coach, Johnson has a respected and established coaching staff around him, mixed with veteran assistants and young, rising coaches looking to make their mark in Johnson's regime. Advertisement While the focus for Johnson and the Bears will be how he turns around the offense and second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, one defensive veteran has taken notice of how the new head coach is addressing the defense. Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who signed in free agency, raved about Johnson's intensity and focus on the defensive side of the ball. 'He's our leader. It is across the board, the standard is the standard," Jarrett said. "What I can say is with him, and all the coaches, (defensive coordinator Dennis Allen), they're not coming off of it. It's our job as players to put our best foot forward every day to reach what's expected of us. We're never going to be perfect, but the strive to try to reach it, that can breed excellence. I'm excited for the standard that is set for everybody across the board. This isn't a program where you try to be guy's friends and hopefully they'll buy in. No. You have to get with it. I've been around for a long time and that's the kind of culture you have to set early because when the expectations are high, that's what you want.' While Chicago has veteran defensive coordinator and former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen running the show on defense, it's certainly encouraging to see Johnson bringing the intensity to that side of the ball, as well. This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears HC Ben Johnson is bringing intensity to the defense
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
How Bears DT Grady Jarrett is stepping into leadership role
How Bears DT Grady Jarrett is stepping into leadership role The Chicago Bears made an impact addition this offseason with veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who brings talent and experience to the table. Having spent the first 10 years of his career with the Atlanta Falcons, Jarrett appeared in one Super Bowl, was named to the Pro Bowl twice, and was a Second-team All-Pro in 2019, so his resume comes as one that should be respected in his new locker room. With several new veterans and coaches in place to help turn the Bears franchise around, the team is going to have to come together under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. In order to get the team on the same page, veterans like Jarrett will be looked at as leaders, even in his first year, to help get the team to where they want to be. Last week during OTAs, Jarrett discussed the reception he's been receiving in the locker room from his new teammates. "More importantly than a voice, I think just the way you come to work, coming to put in work daily," Jarrett said. "But the thing about it is, the guys have showed up to put in work. We've been grinding. It's been a heck of an offseason program, and it's been fun and challenging because it's pulling us together, man. It's challenging every man involved to put their best foot forward, not one out of the four days or two out of four, but every day. That's what's been the really refreshing part for me. "I think more than just with me coming in and saying, you know, 'We got to do this, we got to do that,' I've been enjoying seeing what these guys are made of and being a part of this group. I came to join this group and some great guys here. I think the ceiling is very, very high for us. I feel like every player in here, they want to do good, and working for it, too. I think that's just what's the thing. I'm only familiar with what I know so far, being here in the building, but it's been great to see the response from the challenges that the coaches have given us. Just get better every day." Jarrett isn't letting his resume do all the talking. He's putting in the work and seeing that same effort from his new teammates. Getting everyone on the same page on all sides of the ball, while lining them up with the mindset of this new coaching staff, will give the Bears the pieces they need in place in order to become a winning team. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Grady Jarrett feels refreshed in first year with Bears
Grady Jarrett feels refreshed in first year with Bears After spending his entire 10-year career with the Atlanta Falcons, veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett signed with the Chicago Bears shortly after he was released by Atlanta back in March. When Jarrett surprisingly hit the open market, the Bears wasted no time in bringing in the highly-regarded veteran to bolster their defensive line. Beginning a new chapter in his career with an entirely new coaching staff in Chicago, Jarrett is one of many new veterans who will be looked at to help change the culture in the Bears organization. During OTAs last week, Jarrett met with the media and spoke about feeling refreshed in the new environment with Chicago and embracing the challenge of bringing the team back to their winning ways. "It's been refreshing. It's been refreshing, for sure," Jarrett said. "It's like having the experience of playing the prior 10 years, going on Year 11 now, but the new, refreshing feeling and excitement of being a, not really a rookie because I know how to be in the NFL, but just being in a new place for the first time around new people is really refreshing. It puts you in a position to where you want to put your best foot forward every day. "Not that I'm saying that I didn't want to, regardless of where I was prior, but it's just natural human instinct. I've been enjoying it, man, I've been enjoying it. My life up here in Chicago has been awesome so far. I'm simple. I go to work, I stay like two minutes from here, the facility, go chill, come back, come to work. It's a really simplified life for me right now in this transition. I've been enjoying it, man. It's just going to continue to get better the more I continue to put in more work, learn everybody in the building, and, most importantly, start bringing some wins to this program." Jarrett's outlook and mindset should bode well for his first season with the Bears, and as someone who has previously played in a Super Bowl, he'll have plenty of experience and knowledge to share with his new team. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bears are experimenting with Daniel Hardy this offseason
As the Chicago Bears new-look offense has taken the spotlight this offseason, with a slew of new additions, the defense has been overlooked. The defense had some big additions of their own, including the signings of veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo, and the hiring of well-respected veteran defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Advertisement Chicago also lost veteran linebacker Jack Sanborn in free agency, leaving open a hole alongside T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds for a new player to compete for the opportunity to have a bigger role. One of the players in consideration is Daniel Hardy, who has been a versatile defensive lineman for Chicago but could get an opportunity at linebacker. Speaking to the media during OTAs this week, head coach Ben Johnson spoke about Hardy potentially getting a chance at linebacker. "We're finding out," Johnson said. "He's toggled a little bit between defensive line, and we're going to experiment a little bit with him this springtime and in training camp, to see what he looks like dropping into coverage for us and what we're asking our linebackers to do. I do know this, he's got some pass-rush ability. He's shown that over his time here, and that's intriguing. But, we're going to look to expand his skillset, as well." With Allen leading the way for the defense, he'll have plenty of weapons to choose from and build around, including Hardy who has shown versatility in his young career. There is no question that there will be playing time and opportunities available for the taking under Allen, and Hardy is a player who could be a surprising contributor under this new coaching staff. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears are experimenting with Daniel Hardy this offseason
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bears DT Grady Jarrett reacts to Tush Push ruling
Bears DT Grady Jarrett reacts to Tush Push ruling The Tush Push has been a popular topic of conversation. After the Green Bay Packers proposed to ban the play, made popular by the Philadelphia Eagles, it did not receive enough votes at the NFL league meeting and lives on for the 2025 season. The final vote on the proposed ban of the Tush Push was 22-10, and at least 24 votes were needed to pass it. The Chicago Bears were one of the 22 teams who voted to ban the play. Bears defensive tackle Grady Jarrett was asked about the Tush Push, and he didn't have a particularly strong stance for or against it. But he made one thing clear: You know it's coming, so you have to find a way to stop it. 'You've got to stop it," Jarrett said. "It's been stopped before, not at a high rate, but don't let them get third-and-one, don't let them get fourth-and-one. You know what's coming. I've played Philly a lot of times – they are a tough group, and they have a combination of players and a quarterback to make it very successful. At the end of the day, the rules are the rules, and you got to find a way to stop it.' Jarrett doesn't think the Tush Push is a dangerous play, which is likely why some teams are still accepting of the play. Now, teams just have to contend with it. 'I don't think anybody has gotten hurt yet," Jarrett said. "That's where you have a legit argument. I don't think anybody has getting hurt, it's a compromise position that guys are down in. Just got to do what you've got to do. Can't cry over something you can't change.' While Jarrett isn't necessarily for or against it, Bears head coach Ben Johnson made it clear he's not a Tush Push guy -- as he prefers his explosive plays. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
