Chicago Bears’ Grady Jarrett drops lofty expectations on rising star’s shoulders

After 10 years with the Atlanta Falcons, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett is preparing to start his second lease on NFL life with the Chicago Bears. Not only will the Bears be counting on him for his work on the field, but for what Jarrett brings as a veteran leader.

For all the hype Chicago has gotten over the offseason, they’re a fairly young team. Ben Johnson is a first-year head coach while quarterback Caleb Williams is entering his second year. Looking at the defensive side of the ball, fellow defensive tackle Gervon Dexter is only 23-years-old and is entering his third season with the Bears.

He is currently poised to start next to Jarrett, meaning the veteran will be a key mentor. While they haven’t played an officially down yet, the veteran already sees greatness in Dexter’s immediate future, via the Bears’ X, formerly Twitter account.

“I think he has a really high ceiling. Run game, being effective in the pass rush and growing as a leader too,” Jarrett said. “When I first signed with the team and started working out down in Miami, G put that together. He invited me. I thought that was a big gesture, to be able to hang with them, spend some time working on some craft.”

“It just shows his willingness to take that next step,” he continued. “You can see the work that he’s putting in. The weight room, away from the facility, he here early, he’s spending extra time with coach. Year three is critical time as when you can take that big leap. You played some football, you get more comfortable and now you know how to apply things and really take that big step.”

“I’m really excited to see what happens for him,” Jarrett concluded. “I think our styles compliment each other very well. I can’t wait to continue to go hunt with the guy.”