The Atlanta Falcons inked DL Grady Jarrett to a new 3-year extension on Tuesday, and cemented a cornerstone of the organization's rebuild through 2025 giving the two-time Pro Bowler a guaranteed $34.5 Million.
Grady Jarrett made back-to back Pro Bowls in 2019 and 2020, but had a disappointing year statistically in 2021 in his first year under Dean Pees, but John Fricke and Hugh Douglas explain why they feel he's set for a big bounce-back season in 2022.
There are a couple of reasons you could point to Grady's downturn in 2021:
• First year in a new defense under DC Dean Pees
• Lack of talent surrounding Grady
• Is Grady being put in a position to succeed
While it's understood that Grady's lack of statistics, just one sack and 17 QB pressures in 2021, doesn't equal his impact on the game, it's a big drop from the 17.5 sacks he recorded in the three seasons prior.
Grady should be more comfortable in the second year of Dean Pees' defense, and Pees should have a better idea of how to best use Grady in 2022, and after drafting a pair of pass rushers in Arnold Ebiketie and DeAngelo Malone and signing a few others like Leonard Floyd, the level of talent surrounding Grady should help limit how often opposing teams can double or even triple-team him.
Chuck Smith, a former NFL defensive lineman known as Dr. Rush, who trains elite defensive lineman here in Atlanta, joined Dukes and Bell for an interview on Tuesday and explained his expectations for Grady.
"It's the Falcons (staff's) job to put Grady in position to have success. They have to fit him in and this is the start," explains Chuck Smith. "Making a commitment to him, drafting guys that can play, and now Grady is going to be smooth sailing. In year two they're going to have a better understanding of how to fit Grady in. He's going to have a good year."
