FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees wasted no time when asked how Grady Jarrett is playing this season.
"Great," he said keenly. "Great. If you open the dictionary and it said pro, it'd be Grady Jarrett. His name would be right behind it. The guy comes to work every day, practices his butt off, plays his butt off."
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Jarrett is having one of the most dynamic starts in his eight-year career. He's averaging 3.5 sacks through the first five games, which is nearly half of what he averaged (7.5) in 2019; his first Pro Bowl season.
Outside of his stats though, Jarrett's leadership this season is what sticks out the most. Players feel it and coaches see it. His on-field play is just a mere example of the standard he's setting in the Falcons locker room.
"He's having a terrific season," head coach Arthur Smith said. "He's one of those guys the longer I've been around him, the more fortunate I am to be able to coach a guy like Grady. He's rare. He plays multiple spots for us and one of the best leaders I've been around. He understands how to set people up in the pass rush and knows how to take his chances in the run game. He's playing really good football for us."
During the offseason, Pees moved Jarrett around the defense a bit, allowing him to learn multiple positions which has played a part in his defensive production this season.
"We tried to do some things with him, and we tried to get him in positions to make more plays, because he plays hard," Pees said. "He's a great leader, he is a great captain, and I can't say enough things about him. I love the guy."
Jarret mentioned moving around on defense was an adjustment for him but one he was open to.
"It definitely was an adjustment learning a new defense, but they had to learn me as well," Jarrett said. "Spending a year together under the defense and gaining trust was hand-in-hand. It's been fun, it's definitely been a challenge, you know learning different positions and stuff like that, but I definitely like it and I think it's working out for us as a whole team."
Take a look as the team puts in the work in Flowery Branch to prepare for this week's game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota #1 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
View of red helmets during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Damiere Byrd #14 smiles during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Drew Dalman #67 and offensive lineman Ryan Neuzil #64 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota #1 and quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Anthony Firkser #86 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Matt Dickerson #91 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back B.J. Baylor #36 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota #1 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Frank Darby #88 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
View of a huddle during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant #27 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Detail view of red helmets during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 and long snapper Liam McCullough #48 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ra'Shaun Henry #81 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Feleipe Franks #15 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #9 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Jarrett leads the Falcons defense in sacks (3.5), with two of those being game altering helping to lead the Falcons to two consecutive victories.
In each of the last three games, Jarrett has found his way in the backfield sacking a quarterback late in the fourth quarter making a pivotal play for the defense. In his words "coming and bringing heat all game," has been the ethos of how he's playing for the Falcons.
That's been the mentality for Jarrett the entire season. A mentality set on helping the Falcons establish a winning culture.
"Playing with great effort, you know, in crunch time, I just think it's another level that you go to but at the end of the day, when the opportunity presents itself, you just want to take advantage of it," he added. "Whether that's in the first quarter or fourth quarter but finishing is something that I definitely had on my to-do list.
"When I'm scouting myself and thinking about things I can do better, starting fast and finishing is always at the top of my list every week. However that may look, however that may come, I just got to be ready for the opportunity when it presents itself."
