Hours before the tampering period for NFL free agency this past Monday, the Atlanta Falcons
stunningly released longtime defensive tackle and franchise cornerstone Grady Jarrett. Jarrett,
a native of Conyers, Georgia, was drafted by the Falcons in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL
Draft, becoming a starter on the team’s defensive line in 2016 and sacking Tom Brady three
times in Super Bowl 51-a game Falcons fans would much rather forget. Jarrett gained
recognition as one of the league’s better interior defensive linemen against the run, receiving
numerous accolades, including NFL Second-Team All-Pro Honors in 2019 and back-to-back Pro
Bowl selections in 2019 and 2020. For a decade, he was a consistent and steady presence for
an otherwise underwhelming Atlanta front seven for nearly the entirety of his tenure.
Jarrett was also a tremendous ambassador and leader for the Falcons organization on and off
the field. He was named a team captain in 2019 (a position he held for six years) and cemented
himself as an outspoken leader. Despite the team’s lack of success and struggles to surround
him with talent, he never once complained. Instead, he happily maintained his passion for the
Falcons and willingness to change the franchise’s trajectory. This past season, Jarrett was
Atlanta’s nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, as a result of his work
and investment in the community. His Grady Gives non-profit organization promotes awareness
for causes that affect young children across the Atlanta area, such as anti-bullying and literacy
awareness. The foundation partners with prominent organizations and corporations, including
Grady Memorial Hospital, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Foundation For a Drug-Free World,
and Greg Street’s We Need 2 Read Program. These charitable efforts will benefit
underprivileged children across the city for generations to come.
Accordingly, Atlanta’s decision serves as a reminder of the unfortunate reality that is the
cut-throat business of the NFL (Jarrett’s release clears up $16.5 million in cap space, and
Jarrett, who turns 32 in April, is coming off a down year following his season-ending ACL tear in
2023). His presence within the Falcons fanbase, in the locker room, in the community, and on
the field will be difficult to replace. These factors make Jarrett’s release hard to stomach.
Hours after his release, Jarrett signed a three-year, $43.5 million contract with the Chicago
Bears. He concludes his Falcons career near the top of the franchise’s all-time leaderboard in
several categories:
● Tenth in sacks (36.5)
● Third in total TFL’s (Tackles For Loss) (77)
● First in QB hits (126)
Notably, Jarrett is the son of another Falcons great: linebacker Jessie Tuggle, the franchise’s
all-time leader in total tackles. Like his father, Jarrett went from being overlooked and labeled as
“undersized” for his position to becoming a household name in the NFL and an all-time great
Atlanta Falcon. Once his playing career ends, he will again follow in his father’s footsteps and
become a member of the team’s Ring of Honor, where the Falcons and their fans can celebrate
his illustrious career. Jarrett’s departure officially leaves left tackle and captain Jake Matthews
as the last remaining member of the team’s Super Bowl run in 2016, along with their most
recent playoff appearance in 2017.
