Grady Jarrett’s NFL journey is a story of proving doubters wrong. From being overlooked by major college programs to becoming one of the Atlanta Falcons’ most productive defenders, the Chicago Bears defensive tackle has built an impressive career.

Jarrett returned to Atlanta on October 18, 2026, for the first time as an opponent after joining Chicago in 2025. While the Bears won 31-23, his return sparked fresh interest in his journey, with many fans surprised by the challenges and personal stories behind his NFL career.

Fans Revisit Grady Jarrett’s Rise From Overlooked Recruit to NFL Standout

Jarrett was ranked No. 1,161 nationally and overlooked by major college programs. Georgia passed on him, while South Carolina reportedly rejected him because of his height. His father, Falcons legend and five-time Pro Bowler Jessie Tuggle, said Grady could have been a five-star recruit if he were three or four inches taller.

Clemson eventually offered him a scholarship, giving him the opportunity to prove himself. He made the most of it during four seasons with the Tigers.

His story took another turn on draft night in 2015. His mother, Elisha, wrote “Falcons, pick 105” on a piece of paper and placed it in his pocket. Atlanta eventually selected him with the 137th overall pick in the fifth round. Jarrett still keeps the note.

The defensive tackle went on to spend 10 seasons with Atlanta, appearing in 152 regular-season games and serving as a captain six times. He also set a franchise record with 126 quarterback hits.

Atlanta released Jarrett in 2025, and he agreed to terms with the Bears just hours later. His return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday brought his connection to the franchise full circle, even as he wore No. 50 instead of his former No. 97.

The story surprised many fans, including former NFL scout Greg Gabriel, who encouraged Bears supporters to read more about Jarrett’s journey.

“Great story and something I never knew. Bears fans please take the few minutes needed to read this,” Gabriel wrote.

Other fans shared their own reactions to the defensive tackle’s career and family history. “I knew he was legit when be played a whole season at clemson with a cracked rib,” one fan wrote.

Another supporter shared their admiration, saying, “I love Grady Jarrett. Probably my favorite Clemson Tiger!”

One longtime Atlanta supporter was surprised to learn about Jarrett’s family connection to the franchise. “Life long Falcons fan. I had no idea his biological father was Jessie Tuggle,” the fan wrote.

Another fan brought up Atlanta’s heartbreaking Super Bowl 51 loss to the New England Patriots, suggesting Jarrett deserved even greater recognition. “Grady would have a Super Bowl MVP trophy if the Falcons could have run for 1 yard,” the commenter wrote.

Jarrett is now focused on helping Chicago continue its strong start to the 2026 season. Through six games, the Bears are 4-2 and sit third in the NFC North.

His individual numbers have been modest so far, with 11 total tackles (three solo and eight assists). Jarrett also holds a 69.9 grade on PFN’s NFL DT Impact, ranking 95th among defensive tackles by the metric.

While those numbers do not fully reflect the impact he made during his decade in Atlanta, his experience and leadership remain valuable to Chicago’s defense.