LAKE FOREST, Ill. — In what's been quite a big day for the Bears' brass, they have now reportedly added veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the 31-year-old, who was cut earlier Monday by the Falcons, has agreed to a 3-year, $43.5 million deal with $28.5 guaranteed.
Jarrett has been a force up the middle for the Atlanta defensive line for the last 10 seasons.
He turns 32 next month and the Falcons were able to save over $16 million in cap space by releasing him.
Jarrett is an Atlanta native and was a big-time fan favorite.
The first offseason for new head coach Ben Johnson has been entirely focused on positions of need — five offensive or defensive linemen.
Earlier in the afternoon, the Bears signed former Colts' edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo to a three-year deal. Monday morning, it was announced that the club came to terms with the top free agent center available — another former Falcon Drew Dalman.
Poles and company jumped the offensive guard market last week by trading for former Chiefs' guard Joe Thuney, an all-pro, and Jonah Jackson.
The quick start to the offseason makes what the Bears do in the draft even more intriguing. They hold the 10th overall pick and have two second-round picks, 39 and 41.
The current cap space situation is unclear until the dust settles, but Bears entered Monday with $37.7 million free in cap space after the trades, good for 18th in the league — according to Sportstrac.