Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson says Jeffery Simmons will have a significant role when the defensive tackle debuts against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football in Week 8.
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The Chicago Bears acquired defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans ahead of Week 8 of the 2026 season, completing a trade that cost Chicago two first-round draft picks. The move immediately shifted how the matchup was viewed in the betting market, with DraftKings moving the Bears from +1400 to +1200 to win the Super Bowl after the deal.
Simmons is expected to make his Bears debut on Monday Night Football against the Seattle Seahawks. While he may not play a full workload of snaps, Bears head coach Ben Johnson said the team still plans to use him heavily as Chicago looks for impact from the outset. “He might not be quite that high Week 1 for us, but he certainly has shown the ability to carry a load,” Johnson said.
Johnson said he is not concerned about Simmons adjusting to Chicago’s defensive scheme, pointing to his experience in multiple defensive setups during his time with Tennessee in 2026. “He’s played a lot of football, he’s been in a few different defensive schemes, and I think DA (Dennis Allen) is going to be able to find a spot to do what he does best,” Johnson said. “We don’t want him thinking out there, and that’s what you’re conscious of coming into a new team, but he’s a smart guy and we’ve been encouraged by what we’ve seen so far.”
Even with expectations for Simmons’ debut, the Bears remained three-point underdogs for the NFC matchup against Seattle in the latest odds referenced. The Seahawks also arrived at Week 8 following their own personnel move, acquiring All-Pro offensive guard Quenton Nelson in a deal with the Indianapolis Colts.
During the 2026 season with Tennessee, Simmons has recorded four sacks, 38 tackles, and six tackles for loss. The source also notes that Simmons earned four All-Pro selections and posted 11.0 sacks during the 2025 season. The Bears’ decision to bring in Simmons follows struggles on defense through the first seven games, with Chicago ranked 19th in EPA/Rush and 14th in EPA/Play, while allowing the most yards per play in the NFL through that span.
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