The NFL season is wide open as teams approach the trade deadline, prompting several franchises to make aggressive moves to address their weaknesses. Among them, the Chicago Bears made a major statement by acquiring defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for two future first-round draft picks and a fourth-rounder.
A Proven Force in the Trenches
Simmons spent the first seven-plus years of his career with Tennessee, earning a first-team All-Pro nod in 2025, two second-team selections, and four Pro Bowl appearances. Turning 29 over the summer, he plays a position known for a favorable aging curve, with brawn helping players stave off regression longer than quick-twitch athletes. Under contract until his age-33 season, Simmons arrives in Chicago carrying a hefty price tag of draft capital, but general manager Ryan Poles and the team are betting heavily on his elite production.
Standing over 6-foot-4 and weighing more than 300 pounds, Simmons is a dominant presence who excels as both a pass rusher and a run stopper. According to Next Gen Stats, he leads all defensive tackles in pressures this season with four sacks, including the highest pressure rate and three sacks when facing double-teams. Since 2024, he has recorded the second-most pressures among qualifying defensive tackles with an 11.7% pressure rate, alongside 20 sacks.
Solving Early-Down Defenses
Simmons is equally devastating against the running game, leading all defensive tackles since 2024 with 143 run tackles and 105 stops that resulted in unsuccessful offensive gains. His run stops have generated a staggering -69 EPA over that stretch, ranking second in the league. This rare combination of pass-rush dominance and run-stopping power addresses a glaring vulnerability for the Bears’ defense.
While defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has masterminded a unit that ranks first in third-down conversion rate allowed, the Bears have struggled significantly on early downs, ranking 32nd in EPA per play and surrendering the most yards per play. Facing an easier offensive schedule so far, the defense needed reinforcements to avoid getting exposed by elite opponents later in the year.
The addition of Simmons gives Allen a premier playmaker on the defensive line who can win on first and second downs. By securing stops earlier in the series, the Bears can unleash creative pressure packages on third down and hand the ball back to their explosive, high-scoring offense led by a healthy quarterback, setting the stage for a deep playoff push.
