Jeffery Simmons' four-day tenure yields two tackles for loss

The Chicago Bears defeated the Seattle Seahawks in Monday's matchup, a victory that arrived just four days after the franchise acquired defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. The timing of the win introduced a new element to the postgame routine, placing the new arrival at the center of the coaching staff's celebratory remarks.

Head coach Ben Johnson's "Good, Better, Best" speech typically serves as a structured debrief for the roster. Simmons, however, was positioned front and center during the session despite having only four days to integrate into the team's culture. He admitted he had not yet memorized the specific phrasing of the rallying cry.

"I definitely been on YouTube, trying to figure that," Simmons said. "Make sure I'm good for next game."

Simmons' impact on the field provided the primary justification for his immediate inclusion in the team's core. He recorded two tackles for loss, one sack, and six total tackles in the win over Seattle. His performance allowed the defensive line to disrupt the opposing offense without requiring constant blitz packages.

Defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett spent time with Simmons at Halas Hall until 10 p.m. on the first day the player arrived in Lake Forest. The coaching staff established a straightforward strategy: avoid overthinking the new scheme and focus on executing individual responsibilities.

"Just go play football," Simmons said. "It wasn't, I guess, rocket science or anything of that nature, or trying to do something extra. It was just me, going out, doing my jobs the best way I know how to do it."

The immediate statistical result of this approach was the ability to pressure quarterback Sam Darnold using only four rushers. Garrett noted that this efficiency allows the defense to hold more players in coverage, potentially increasing turnover opportunities. The team struggled to generate interceptions at the rate seen in 2025, a gap that a more efficient pass rush could help close.

"I think it gave them confidence to go see that, hey, we don't need the blitz every time to go get out the quarterback," Garrett said. "We all have abilities. We just got to work together and win a sport, not as individuals, but let's put it together and when as a group. I think those guys went out there and played hard and executed the rush plan pretty well."

Linebackers coach Richard Smith indicated that the acquisition signals the organization's intent to compete for a championship. He stated that the move showed the roster that the front office was "not sitting still" and that Simmons' presence would elevate the performance of his teammates.

Simmons expressed confidence in the defensive line's ability to stop the run while maintaining pass rush efficiency. "If we can rush with four, we can stop the run with four," he said. "The game is always gonna be won up front. And if we can do it with four sometimes five, it'd be great."

The next scheduled game will provide the first test of Simmons' retention of the team's postgame rituals. He indicated he would be prepared for the camera this time, stating, "Next game, especially when I'm in a camera like that, I’ll know the words. I'll be ready."