Jarrett has a mutual admiration for Johnson and his capabilities on the offensive side of the ball. When the Falcons played the Lions back in 2023, when Johnson was Detroit's offensive coordinator, Jarrett remembers a physical team that garnered respect. After meeting his new coach, Jarrett can sense Johnson's intensity, desire to win and is ready to go play for him.
Along with the Bears' head coach, quarterback Caleb Williams also played a factor in Jarrett's interest in Chicago.
"Especially for a vet like myself, you want to go somewhere that's got a good quarterback," Jarrett said. "I think Caleb's ceiling is super high. I've watched him from afar, admired him from afar since he's been in college and I'm excited to play with him. That definitely played a factor in me coming here, because I believe that he was the No. 1 pick for a reason and his best is obviously yet to come being such a young player."
On his side of the ball, Jarrett is extremely familiar with his new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen — who served as Saints defensive coordinator (2015-21) and head coach (2022-24) — having played against him twice a year in the NFC South.
"The respect factor is through the roof," Jarrett said, "and the way we can play different fronts and draw different blitzes, different coverages, it's a reason why he is as respected as he is. And for me to have an opportunity to play for him, be a part of a defense that is orchestrated by a great defensive mind, I'm excited."
With Allen at the helm of the defense, Jarrett is ready to find out what he can accomplish alongside other members of the Bears' defensive line, especially Pro Bowl pass rusher Montez Sweat, who Jarrett referred to as "dominant." While he hasn't spent much time with Sweat, Jarrett is familiar with his new teammate and fellow Atlanta resident through mutual respect and friends.
Jarrett has noticed the Bears commit significant resources to the trenches through moves like trading for and extending Sweat and Wednesday's trades for veteran offensive linemen Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. The defensive tackle already has his sights set on some intense training camp moments with his new teammates.
"You're going to win the game in the trenches, offensive and defensive line," Jarrett said. "And going through training camp, going through practice, I don't have better guys to sharpen my sword against because they're going to come every day and give you their all. I played against these guys, and it's been battles.
"I think training camp's going to be fun. It's going to be physical. Me and Ben talked earlier. [I asked him], 'mind a little trash talk?' I'll go right back with him. So, it's going to be competitive. There's some new energy, new vibes in the building and we want it all."