Grady Jarrett Bio
Grady Jarrett (born April 28, 1993) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft. Jarrett spent nine seasons with the Falcons before signing with the Chicago Bears in March 2025. He is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a Second-team All-Pro honoree who has established himself as one of the premier interior defensive linemen in the league.
Early Life and Background
Grady Jarrett was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 28, 1993. He grew up in Conyers, Georgia, where he attended Rockdale County High School. Jarrett was a four-year starter on both offense and defense, earning recognition as a two-time All-state selection. Over his final two high school seasons, he recorded 198 tackles, 63 tackles for loss, and 27.5 sacks. He was also a three-time All-regional selection on defense and earned second-team All-region honors on offense as a senior.
Beyond football, Jarrett excelled in wrestling and track and field. He was fourth in the state as a junior in wrestling before winning the Georgia state heavyweight championship as a senior. In track and field, he captured the state title in the shot put with a throw of 50 feet, 6.5 inches during his senior year. He was rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and the No. 41 defensive tackle in the nation by Scout.com, ultimately choosing to play college football at Clemson University.
Path to Professional Football
Jarrett arrived at Clemson University in 2011 and played for the Tigers through the 2014 season. As a true freshman, he appeared in nine games and made two tackles. His sophomore year showed improvement as he started 11 of 13 games, recording 49 tackles and two sacks. As a junior, Jarrett started all 13 games and accumulated 83 tackles and two sacks while demonstrating his ability to disrupt opposing offenses from the interior defensive line.
During his senior season, Jarrett started all 13 games and recorded 73 tackles and 1.5 sacks. His consistent performance throughout his college career earned him First-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors in 2014. His college career provided the foundation for his transition to the NFL, where he developed the technique and football IQ that would serve him well at the professional level.
Grady Jarrett Career
Atlanta Falcons (2015–2024)
Jarrett was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round (137th overall) of the 2015 NFL draft. The Falcons traded two draft picks to the Minnesota Vikings to move up and select Jarrett. He signed a four-year contract worth $2.527 million in May 2015. As a rookie, Jarrett appeared in 15 games and recorded 24 tackles, four tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, and one sack. He registered his first professional sack on December 12 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In 2016, Jarrett played all 16 games, starting 14, and finished with 48 tackles, four tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, and three sacks. His breakout performance came during Super Bowl LI against the New England Patriots, where he sacked Tom Brady three times, tying the record for most sacks in a single Super Bowl game. The Falcons fell to the Patriots 34–28 in overtime, but Jarrett’s performance established him as a rising star on Atlanta’s defensive line.
Jarrett continued his development in 2017, starting all 16 games and recording a career-high 55 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hits, and four sacks. During Week 15 of the 2018 season, he recorded two sacks and forced a fumble in a 40–14 win over the Arizona Cardinals, earning him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He finished the 2018 season with career-highs of six sacks and three forced fumbles.
Chicago Bears (2025–Present)
On March 10, 2025, the Atlanta Falcons released Jarrett after nine seasons with the organization. Three days later, he signed a three-year contract worth $43.5 million with the Chicago Bears. The move represented a new chapter for Jarrett, who joined a Bears franchise looking to build a competitive defense around experienced leadership.
Jarrett made an immediate impact in his first season with the Bears, appearing in all 17 games and recording 39 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three passes defended. His veteran presence in the middle of the defensive line provided stability and mentorship for younger players on the roster. The Bears’ coaching staff utilized Jarrett’s experience to help develop their defensive schemes and interior pressure packages.
Playing Style and Strengths
Jarrett is known for his explosive first-step quickness and relentless motor from the interior defensive line position. His ability to collapse the pocket and pressure quarterbacks has made him a consistent disruptive force against opposing offenses throughout his career. He excels at using his hands and leverage to shed offensive linemen, and his high football IQ allows him to read plays and make stops in the backfield. His technique and persistence have enabled him to produce at a high level despite frequently facing double-teams from opposing offenses.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jarrett’s signature performance came during Super Bowl LI in 2017, when his three-sack game against Tom Brady demonstrated his ability to dominate in the biggest moments. His selection to the Pro Bowl in 2019 and 2020 recognized his status among the league’s elite defensive tackles, and his Second-team All-Pro selection in 2019 highlighted his consistent excellence. His 2019 contract extension worth $68 million made him one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in the league at the time.
Grady Jarrett Career Statistics
Jarrett has accumulated impressive statistics throughout his NFL career, demonstrating his durability and production from the defensive tackle position. His consistent presence on the field and ability to make plays in both the running and passing game have made him a valuable asset for every team he has played for.
Career Totals
Through the 2025 season, Jarrett has recorded 535 total tackles, 38 sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and nine pass deflections across 141 career games. He has started 135 of those games, showcasing his reliability and the trust coaches have placed in him as a foundational piece of their defensive units.
Grady Jarrett Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Jarrett comes from a distinguished football family. His father, Jessie Tuggle, was a legendary linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons from 1987 to 2000. Jessie Tuggle was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and remains one of the most decorated players in Falcons history, recording over 1,300 career tackles. This family legacy gave Grady Jarrett a unique perspective on professional football from an early age, with firsthand knowledge of what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
Jarrett’s brother, Justin Tuggle, also pursued professional football and was a member of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. Additionally, Jarrett has developed a close relationship with former Baltimore Ravens star Ray Lewis, whom he refers to as “uncle,” though they share no biological relation.
Personal Life
During the 2015 NFL draft, Jarrett’s home in Conyers, Georgia, partially burned down on the second day of the draft. Nearly 50 friends and family members were at the home at the time of the fire, but no injuries were reported. The cause was believed to be electrical. The Falcons drafted Jarrett the following day and immediately reached out to provide support and team gear, a gesture that symbolized the beginning of his professional journey.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Grady Jarrett’s first full year with the Chicago Bears after signing with the team in March. His transition from the Falcons to the Bears represented a significant change in his career trajectory, moving from a team in rebuilding mode to a franchise with playoff aspirations. Jarrett served as a veteran leader in the defensive line room, helping to mentor younger players while maintaining his own high standard of performance.
Throughout the season, Jarrett appeared in all 17 games and recorded 39 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three passes defended. While his sack numbers were lower than some of his peak seasons with the Falcons, his impact extended beyond statistics. He drew consistent double-team attention from opposing offenses, which created opportunities for his teammates to make plays. His leadership in the locker room and during practice sessions helped establish the Bears’ defensive identity.
Looking ahead, Jarrett remains a key component of the Bears’ defensive plans. His experience in high-pressure situations, including Super Bowl LI, provides invaluable mentorship for a team looking to make deep playoff runs. The 2026 season will see Jarrett enter his 12th NFL campaign, and he continues to demonstrate the same work ethic and passion for the game that characterized his early years in the league.