Grady Jarrett - Defensive Tackle, bears Event: Press Conference | Date: 2026-09-20 | Full transcript (primary source).
Grady Jarrett addressed the media during a press conference on September 20, 2026, following a game where the Bears showed improvement despite not securing a victory. The discussion focused on the team's preparation, growth, and the impact of a teammate's injury during the match.
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Transcript
Jarrett: I know it wasn't obviously the result that you guys wanted, but I think that's probably a lot better than it did last week. What was the difference? I think just working, having a good week of preparation. I think Coach gave us a really great plan going into this game. And I think we played physical up front. And we were sticky and coverage for the most part. I think we had a good show on the day. Something to definitely build off of. But like you said, definitely wanted to win. But I'd be remiss to not acknowledge the growth that we had this week.
Reporter: Did you see Caleb go down? What was your perspective of?
Jarrett: You never want to see any teammate go down. My reaction was probably the same as the crowd. We definitely wish him the best for him. I guess we'll hear it more soon. And always wishing him the best.
Reporter: You've seen him withstand so many hits, usually. I know it's football. It's happened because it was almost startling to see a guy like that, you have to leave.
Jarrett: It's just show that he's human. He's Superman. He do his thing, but he is human. And sometimes in this game, it's unpredictable. So obviously, always wanted the best for him for him and his health first. And I'm sure that's the plan going forward. And whatever happened is the best for him as a person first, is what we're concerned about.
Reporter: When you put him that coach down, how do you try to kind of get everybody to see him? Keep the morale up and everything.
Jarrett: Yeah, so definitely, it's a cognizant effort. Definitely everybody keeping morale up. Because obviously, Caleb is the guy here, you know? And so nobody wants to see him go down. So definitely got to rally up, do more. And I mean, we got to finish the game at the end of the day. And I think the guys rallied up really well. I mean, we were a play away from winning that game. So I'm super proud of everybody today. And it's a lot of things to build from.
Reporter: Ben said that the weather played a major factor in this game. What was it like from your perspective playing this game?
Jarrett: Yeah, absolutely, it definitely played a major factor. Rain from beginning to end. So obviously, a lot of run plays. So it was, I mean, it definitely affected both teams. So we just had to adjust and play the game, according to what the weather allowed. And I mean, it was a hard fought game, division game, a good opponent, we a good team. I mean, it was a heavyweight fight today. And we came up a little bit short. And at the end of the day, a lot of things that we feel short on is in our control. So that's a good positive. And so I'm excited about the growth that we had this week. Obviously, we did want to win. But there's a lot of good things that come from this. And I've got faith in all these guys. We're going to go back to work and do what we need to do.
Reporter: It's like you guys are affecting personal ones pretty well today, some of the poor, intricate stuff on the front that you guys are doing in the stunts.
Jarrett: Yeah, absolutely, absolutely. I think definitely affecting the quarterback is going to top our mind. And we've been getting better a week in and a week out. From the game plan to the players with the attacking mindset, it's something that we definitely, definitely hold a high regard. So I mean, that's definitely a growth point. And obviously, some of the blitzes coach was dialing up. I mean, we was on the day. But obviously, I'm going to keep saying it. We want to win. But there's a lot of good growth opportunities here and things we can build off of.
Reporter: Grady, you've seen Tyson through scout team for a couple of years. What's left of the impression with you about feeling comfortable with him taking over?
Jarrett: Yeah, I mean, he's been here for a long time doing just being consistent and consistent. I don't think nobody flinched when we knew he had the opportunity to go down and try to win the game. And like I said earlier, we were one play away from winning that game. But we got full confidence. And Tyson, we get to see how he work every day, how he take care of his craft, how he take care of his body, how he prepare each and every week. So there's a reason why he was able to get an extension here. So I mean, the guy, I mean, he do nothing but work and produce. So however it go, we love Tyson. And we believe in Tyson.
Reporter: Grady, when you play a game last week that's got 90-some-odd points in it, and a game today that has 12. Is that just football? Or is there a way to explain the differential beyond the fact that it's wet?
Jarrett: Yeah, no, but I think that's a good question. I think it's just football. Week by week, it's a case by case analysis. Man, we've got to go do our best each and every week and go. The offense might have to outscore a team one week. And defense might have to hold them on the team one week. So it's a team sport. So it's a lot of give and take. As we continue to go through the season, when there's just been two games down, we're just going to continue to get better and better until those two sides get, I mean, we just get working in one accord. But it's NFL football, man. When two good teams go clashing, it could be like it was last week, or it could be like it was this week. So either way it go, we're going to be prepared to go.
