Grady Jarrett is more than ready to be a Bear.

“I’m in a special place in a special time,” Jarrett said of his new chapter during his introductory press conference at Halas Hall on Wednesday. “Being able to have a fresh start here is something that I’m super, super excited about. I’m just so fired up.”

The two-time Pro Bowler signed a three-year, $43.5 million deal with the Bears shortly after being released by the Atlanta Falcons on Monday. The Georgia native was a fifth-round selection by the Falcons in 2015 after a four-year collegiate career at Clemson.

Jarrett spent 10 seasons with his hometown team, where he recorded 36.5 sacks and became their franchise leader in quarterback hits (126). He has started 137 out of 152 team games in his career, including a start in Super Bowl LI where he sacked New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady three times.

Jarrett became a must-add for Bears head coach Ben Johnson’s defensive line as soon as he hit the free agent market.

“Grady is a guy, who, for a number of years now, has played at a fantastically high level,” Johnson said of the 31-year-old veteran. “This guy is outstanding – you feel his presence.”

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General manager Ryan Poles added that Jarrett was a player he wanted to sign “immediately,” especially because of their shared connection with former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. Poles and Ryan were teammates at Boston College from 2003 to 2007.

“With Grady, you know, being teammates with Matt Ryan, they’ve shared a locker room … how Ryan described Jarrett is special and it won’t take you long to understand that he’s different,” Poles said.

Jarrett has been an incredibly durable asset in his career apart from the ACL injury that sidelined him in 2023. Despite that setback, Jarrett is confident that he can bring a renewed version of himself to the already-strong Bears defense in 2025 and beyond.

“My body is good – my body is strong,” he said. “My mind is hungry to learn. I’m confident in my abilities to be highly productive and I have my best seasons still ahead of me.”