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Bears’ Grady Jarrett finds balance with mentoring NFL draft pick Shemar Turner

1 month agoScott Bair

Shemar Turner long has been a Grady Jarrett fan. That appreciation began back in Super Bowl LI, when the Pro Bowl defensive tackle sacked Tom Brady three times in the biggest game of his life.

While the final score didn’t turn out well for his Falcons, Jarrett showed the country what those in Atlanta already knew. The three-down defensive tackle was a game-wrecker of the highest order.

Turner took note of that. He was 10 years old at the time, but the performance made an impression.

The defensive lineman from DeSoto, Texas, kept tabs on Jarrett as he grew up in the game, but he paid super close attention heading into his last Texas A&M campaign. Turner was asked to move inside from the edge, and he researched how the best interior pass rushers pressured the quarterback.

Jarrett provided prime examples of how to operate in Turner’s new position.

“He’s a dog, bro. He’s an animal,” Turner said. “He’s not too big. He’s a guy that can pass rush. He’s quick as hell. He’s fast off the ball. His get-off is crazy. He’s a dude. There’s a reason why he’s been here so long.”

Jarrett has been so good for so long that the person Turner was so impressed by eight years ago now is playing with him.

The Bears signed Jarrett to a three-year contract on March 12. They drafted Turner No. 62 overall on April 25.

Turner expressed his admiration for Jarrett one day later, plus high-level excitement about playing with him.

Then came an Instagram direct message from Jarrett with a similar sentiment. They had a quick exchange but didn’t formally meet until rookies merged into the offseason program before OTAs.

Turner has made a good first impression, and provides hope that he can positively impact the defensive line.

“It’s been a limited time together, but just watching him as a player, he has a great natural ability,” Jarrett told reporters last Wednesday. “He’s quick, strong and comes from a really good program. Played in some good football in the SEC. He’ll be ready to go when it’s time to go.”

Jarrett can help him get there, but he doesn’t want this to be a formal, one-sided mentorship. He’s been in these positions before — a byproduct of his sustained success — and prefers they stand on level ground.

“(Being) in a position of, whether it’s leadership or just to inspire somebody else, and to be in the same room with him, after speaking with him, tell me that he watched me when he was in college trying to study NFL, to me, that means a lot,” Jarrett said. “I don’t take it lightly, but at the same time, it is also giving him the confidence to know that you’re on this level for a reason now, you know what I’m saying?

“Go ball and do your thing and know that it’s a brotherhood. I have to be, what, 10 years or so older than him? I want it to be like we’re running parallel. When we’re working out, don’t be afraid to speak to me. Encourage me, too. I always enjoy when the younger guys come in.”

That will come in time, once Turner immerses himself in the new Bears culture and coordinator Dennis Allen’s defense. He has the right attitude for it, and made a solid impression on the team during his short time here.

“He’s got a good outgoing personality,” Allen said during rookie minicamp. “I think he enjoys being in the building. I think he really loves football, and that’s something that we look for in guys that we want to bring in to the building because you have to love football to do all the things that’s going to be necessary to have success in our league. I think he’s got a good personality, and then when he’s on the field, he’s about business.”

If that’s the case, Turner will fit in fine working with Jarrett. The veteran understands, accepts and relishes his role as an elder statesman. He doesn’t want the younger guys only looking up to him.

“During my time in Atlanta, some of the younger players would come and look up to me, but then when we get to talking and rapping, it’s like, ‘Man, we’re like brothers,’ ” Jarrett said. “It makes them more comfortable to go be their best selves. Whatever I can be or do to help mentor them, I’m definitely willing.

“It pushes me because I like to keep inspiring other people to make me be my best self every day. I clearly have a standard to uphold. He can’t be coming at me and meeting me and being like, ‘Oh, man, this is you?’ (Laughter) I have to hold up my end of the bargain, too, so that it keeps me going. It’s definitely a two-way street. I can’t wait to see what the future has for him.”

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