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How Atlanta stunned Grady Jarrett and his fit now with Chicago

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9 months ago

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How Atlanta stunned Grady Jarrett and his fit now with Chicago


Taking Grady Jarrett out of Atlanta creates a little bit bigger impact than if someone pulled the deep dish pizza out of Chicago.

Some people don’t really like deep dish in Chicago. No, it’s true. Everyone in Atlanta, it seemed, loved Jarrett.

A beloved institution was cast off when the Falcons mismanaged their salary cap so bad they couldn’t keep him, after trying up to the last minute. Instead, they let go of their heart and soul Monday and Jarrett arrived Wednesday at Halas Hall not talking about looking for revenge or respect, just wins.

“Like I said, these things happen and I couldn’t be more grateful for those guys,” Jarrett said of the Falcons organization. “They made that process seamless. Granted, it is a little hard on you to be a Day 1 starter, never not starting when you’re dressed.

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“But they made it easy for me. Hat’s off to those guys for trusting in me still. It is what it is.”

This didn’t seem quite like an announcement about a revenge tour. In fact, he hardly seems pre-occupied with vengeance.

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“How can I? I’m focused on the next thing and my next thing is here,” Jarrett said. “I would be robbing Chicago coaches, players, fans, if I was up here worried about how Atlanta made me feel. And so even to give that energy to say: ‘I’m gonna get back at Atlanta’… We don’t even play Atlanta this year.

“So whatever they’re doing ain’t got nothing to do with me, you know? So all my energy, all my focus is right here in Chicago and that’s where it’s going and that’s where it’s gonna be.”

He did have a few more kind words for Atlanta even if his departure was less than ideal.

“You know what it was? I didn’t expect it, you know?,” Jarrett said. “But I would have faith to trust the process and let it play itself out, but I gave Atlanta my all.

“Everybody in that building, the organization know I gave Atlanta my all. I’m from Atlanta with or without the Falcons. Atlanta is always going to show me love. I’m going to show Atlanta love. You know, I’m so invested already in the community and life goes on. But my motivation doesn’t come from trying to get back or vengeance or whatever it is. I’m focused on the next thing and my next thing is here.”

Atlanta had been disappointment for years. The Falcons have fallen into such disrepair that the Bears have been in the playoffs twice since Jarrett was last in a postseason game. It is hard to believe.

He did make it to an infamous Super Bowl in Atlanta as a rookie, the one Dan Quinn and Co. gave away against the Patriots, and then a playoff season in 2016. But none after that.

Once off the Atlanta payroll, Jarrett wasn’t sure where he’d be going until his agents told him who was calling.

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“I didn’t have any idea,” he said. “They said the Bears, and I was like, ‘OK, cool. They (a) perfect situation.’ “

Even after his 2023 ACL tear, Jarrett says he has plenty left to give his new team. Two years since said injury, he should be back to 100%. But 100% at age 32 isn’t like at 28 or even 30.

“My body is good, my body is strong, and my mind is hungry to learn,” Jarrett said. “I’m just in a position to where I’m in a special place at the right time around the right people and I’m super excited about what’s to come.”

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What he’s hoping comes is wins, sacks, tackles for loss, even quarterback hits. He wants to be the disruptor in Chicago within Dennis Allen’s defensive scheme, just like he had been in Atlanta.

“I am the (Atlanta) franchise leader in quarterback hits as well,” Jarrett pointed out, to laughter across the room. “I thought I’d throw that in there. Sometimes you get seasons where guys may have eight hits but they might have six sacks. You’re like ‘dang.’

“But you might have a guy that had 20-25 hits and have three or four sacks. Affecting the quarterback is the bottom line, getting him off the spot, getting him uncomfortable. So to be able to be in a position from an interior standpoint it means a lot, especially when you have dominant guys from the outside coming every direction or whatever else coach Allen draws up, being able to be a piece to add to the group that’s here, it means a lot.”

The Bears are hoping he’s that missing piece to their defensive line puzzle, the quick three-technique disruptor who fits between two bigger edge rushers and a stout one-technique.

He might not ever be an institution in Chicago the way he was in Atlanta because at 32 there just won’t be a lot of seasons left.

But be a part of a second Bears Lombardi Trophy and all bets are off.

X: BearsOnSI





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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers Announce Starting Lineups For Tonight’s Game

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4 hours ago

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December 15, 2025

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Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers Announce Starting Lineups For Tonight’s Game


The Hawks would love to forget Friday’s embarrassing loss to the Detroit Pistons.

After an entertaining first quarter, Atlanta was dominated over the final three quarters and ended up losing by 27 points to the top team in the Eastern Conference. They are hoping for a quick bounce back today at home vs Philadelphia and will could use a win to get back on track.

The game is getting closer to tipoff and both teams have announced their starting lineups:

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Hawks

G-Nickeil Alexander-Walker

G- Dyson Daniels

F- Zaccharie Risacher

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F- Jalen Johnson

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C- Onyeka Okongwu

76ers

G- Quentin Grimes

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G- VJ Edgecombe

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F- Paul George

F- Dominick Barlow

C- Joel Embiid

Deeper look at Atlanta

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Dec 5, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) shoots against the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

When previewing the game this morning, our own Rohan Raman took a deeper look at the Hawks’ advanced numbers today:

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“Atlanta’s offense has been surprisingly solid without Trae Young, but the Pistons game was a poor showing. The Hawks are 12th in points, 10th in FG%, 10th in 3P%, 17th in FT%, 25th in rebounds (24th in OREB, 22nd in DREB), 1st in assists, and 18th in turnovers per game. They’re 16th in offensive rating this year.

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On a per-game basis, the Hawks’ defense rank 21st in points allowed, 18th in FG% allowed, 9th in 3P% allowed, 23rd in rebounds allowed, 4th in steals, and 12th in blocks. They’re 14th in defensive rating on the year, which puts them in a slightly above-average tier despite their recent run of poor performance on end.

Philadelphia is still figuring out how their offense operates when everyone is healthy, but Tyrese Maxey is always dangerous and they quietly have a reasonably deep roster. They’re 16th in points, 24th in FG%, 17th in 3P%, 6th in FT%, 9th in rebounds (10th in OREB, 9th in DREB), 20th in assists, and 11th in turnovers per game. They’re 15th in offensive rating this season.

After a difficult night against a tough Detroit defense, the matchup gets slightly easier against the 76ers. Even so, they’ve been playing good defense as of late – albeit against poor competition. They are 12th in points allowed, 8th in FG% allowed, 8th in 3P% allowed, 21st in rebounds allowed, 19th in steals, and 2nd in blocks. They’re 9th in defensive rating, so this would be the second straight game for the Hawks against a top-ten defense by defensive rating.”

Because they are at home and will have the best player on the floor, I like the Hawks to win this game. Quentin Grimes is someone who has given the Hawks trouble before, and rookie VJ Edgecombe has had a great start to his career. Still, I like Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu to lead the Hawks to a win today at home.

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Atlanta, GA

Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks odds, picks and predictions

Published

16 hours ago

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December 14, 2025

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Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks odds, picks and predictions


The Philadelphia 76ers (14-10) and Atlanta Hawks (14-12) meet Sunday. Tip-off from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, is set for 6 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the 76ers vs. Hawks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Hawks lead 1-0

The 76ers beat the Indiana Pacers 115-105 Friday, covering as 5-point home favorites with the Under (221) cashing. C Joel Embiid led the team with 39 points on 12-for-23 shooting. Philadelphia has found its rhythm, winning 4 of its last 5 games while going 3-2 against the spread (ATS). It is 14-9-1 ATS on the season.

The Hawks lost to the Detroit Pistons 142-115 on Friday, failing to cover as 7-point road underdogs as the Over (233) hit. G Nickeil Alexander-Walker led all scorers with 22 points and 4 made 3-pointers. Atlanta, after a 10-5 November, has gone just 1-4 in its last 5 games, covering 3 times in that stretch. It is 14-12 ATS on the season.

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76ers at Hawks odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:54 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): 76ers +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Hawks -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
  • Against the spread: 76ers +4.5 (-105) | Hawks -4.5 (-115)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 226.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

76ers at Hawks key injuries

76ers

  • C Joel Embiid (knee) questionable
  • G Tyrese Maxey (illness) doubtful
  • G Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee) out
  • F Trendon Watford (adductor) out

Hawks

  • G Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ankle) questionable
  • C Kristaps Porzingis (illness) out
  • G Trae Young (knee) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

76ers at Hawks picks and predictions

Prediction

76ers 114, Hawks 111

BET 76ERS (+155).

The Hawks have fallen off a cliff, and their defense has gone with them. They are 1-4 over their last 5 outings and have allowed at least 123 points in 5 of their last 8 games. Their offense hasn’t matched that shortcoming, scoring 100 points or fewer in 2 of their last 5 contests.

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The 76ers, on the other hand, are surging, and their defense has been much improved from earlier in the season. They have held 4 of their last 5 opponents to 105 points or fewer and haven’t given up more than 112 points in December (through 5 games). Philadelphia has won 3 straight on the road.

Take 76ERS (+155).

PASS.

The preferred option is the moneyline, thanks to the enhanced odds. The spread is also playable, particularly with the 76ers.

BET UNDER 226.5 (-110).

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The 76ers have gone Under in 5 straight games, and while their defense has stepped up, they have scored 116 points or fewer in their last 4 contests. They are 11-13 O/U on the season.

The Hawks are 3-2 O/U in their last 5 games, largely due to their weak defense, which is less likely to be exploited given that the 76ers rank 20th in pace. Expect a slower-tempo game and take UNDER 226.5 (-110).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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Atlanta, GA

Starters Braves Have on Their Radar, Top Prospects in Play

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1 day ago

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December 14, 2025

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Starters Braves Have on Their Radar, Top Prospects in Play


The Atlanta Braves have locked down two free agents. One bolstered the bullpen while the other diversified their options on the offense. Now, from what we’re hearing, the attention has turned to fortifying the rotation. 

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We are gaining an idea of who the Braves are targeting on the starting pitching market. Framber Valdez and Michael King appear to be the top two free-agent options they’re taking a look at, per source. The goal would be to land one of the two. How far along any potential talks are or if they’re currently talking at all is unclear. We just know now that these two are preferred targets. 

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Previous reports said that the Mets and Giants had previously chatted with Valdez. King is on the radar of the Tigers and Cubs. There are contenders in play for these same guys.

Signing a free agent is their plan A for acquiring starting pitching depth. What we are hearing confirms the willingness to cough up a draft pick to make a big signing. Both have a qualifying offer attached to them. 

That being said, they are willing to go out on the trade market if needed and in a specific circumstance. Plan B is to make a deal for Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta. 

The 2025 All-Star has been rumored to be a trade candidate since the start of the offseason. What we are hearing lines up with previous speculation as to the type of moves the Braves could make. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden suggested the Braves make a move for Peralta, and part of that suggestion included a potential trade piece that would likely be dealt in this scenario.

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The Brewers would likely want to make the centerpiece of the return the Braves’ No. 2 prospect, JR Ritchie. However, the Braves would likely prefer to hang onto Ritchie. They see him as a key piece of their future. They would likely prefer to make the centerpiece of the deal Hurston Waldrep, who showed significant promise once she was called up toward the end of last season. 

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Another player would likely be dealt along with one of the two names. The Braves would like to know whether an extension would be in play. They wouldn’t want to make the move for strictly a rental. 

However, the Brewers want to get a trade done during the offseason. If he’s on the roster during the regular season, it would put them in a bind. They don’t see him as someone they’ll be able to keep around, but if they’re contending, they can’t trade him at the deadline. He would have to stick around for a push, and then he would walk. 

Meanwhile, the Braves are pushing to have a top-five payroll in the league for next season. That puts them in the position to take on one of the two possible free-agent signings or take on a contract extension in a potential trade. 

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