Grady Jarrett was not the addition many Chicago Bears fans saw coming. They knew the team was focused on improving the defensive line. What they expected was the focus to stay on the outside at defensive end. Adding a former Pro Bowl defensive tackle led to questions about what the plans were for Gervon Dexter. He’d filled the three-technique interior pass rusher role last season and did a pretty good job. Jarrett’s arrival led some to wonder if Dexter might get demoted. In truth, the defensive line was inheriting new responsibilities.
While Dexter still has a prominent role as an interior pass rusher, he will likely do it from the nose tackle position moving forward. Jarrett will handle the three-technique spots. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen plans to rotate guys around, finding favorable matchups. To his credit, Dexter has looked at this as a setback. If anything, the arrival of Jarrett has already proven fortuitous. He revealed to the media that the wily veteran has already made him a better player in the most unexpected way.
Gervon Dexter was already dangerous.
Imagine what he could become if he regularly knew what was coming from opposing offenses. That is the advantage Jarrett brings to the table. People always talk about his explosive first step and quickness. Both are true, but what made the two-time Pro Bowler so deadly was his intelligence. He was always in the right position to counter offensive play, so you had to game-plan specifically for him. Atlanta never managed to take full advantage of that. Their defensive lines lacked overall strength. At least Chicago has some good pieces in place with Gervon Dexter and Montez Sweat. Jarrett might not be at his physical peak anymore. That doesn’t mean he won’t impact games. All the defensive line has to do is follow his lead.
