LAKE FOREST, Ill. (104.3 The Score) – Loud cheers reverberated throughout the second floor of Halas Hall early Thursday morning. They were heard from Bears general manager Ryan Poles’ office on the east end of the building, then down the hall in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s corridor.
The Bears had just agreed to a trade to acquire All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Titans, providing them a significant addition to bolster their hopes of Super Bowl glory. Inside Halas Hall, this was a trade to celebrate.
"It’s like waking up on Christmas morning and you go out and you see all the presents under the tree," Allen said.
By Thursday evening, Simmons had landed in Chicago on a private jet and was escorted over to the Bears' headquarters in Lake Forest. He entered through a hallway that lights up with the names and numbers of franchise greats.
"I'm so excited to hopefully have my name up there one day," Simmons said. "They always say it's the people who come before you. Those chairs in the room, they don't belong to us. My job is to continue to uphold that tradition."
Before boarding his jet to Chicago, Simmons said goodbye to his family, including his three-year-old daughter, unsure of when he’ll next see them. His roots have been in Nashville since the Titans selected him at No. 19 overall in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Simmons has left his longtime home because circumstances are different these days for the Titans. As a rookie in 2019, Simmons was part of a Tennessee team that won two playoff games and came up just shy of the Super Bowl. The Titans are currently 1-6 and have won just 20 games since the start of the 2022 season. They’re coming off back-to-back 3-14 campaigns in 2024 and 2025.
After Simmons learned the Bears traded a haul that included two first-round picks to acquire him, he soon turned his focus from the emotion of leaving home, friends and family to appreciating the football side of the equation. He was at the epicenter of a seismic move in Chicago, where the Bears have championship aspirations.
"This team believes in what they have here, and they want it right now," Simmons said. "My game, my passion, my energy, my leadership, I can only help this team even more than what it's got. This is a great locker room from quarterback all the way down. So, my job is to come in here and be nothing more than but myself."
Poles has been in the Titans' position before, spending his first three years as general manager leading the Bears through an arduous rebuilding process. That rebuild included parting ways with cornerstone players like edge rusher Khalil Mack, whom the Bears traded two first-rounders to acquire in 2018.
Thanks to Poles' prudent plan, the Bears are now 5-2 and seeking back-to-back playoffs berths for the first time in 20 years. They have a team led by 24-year-old quarterback Caleb Williams and second-year head coach Ben Johnson that carries hopes of achieving sustained success.
Simmons was deemed by Poles to be the missing piece for the Bears. He has 46.5 sacks in eight NFL seasons, including four sacks this year. In his All-Pro campaign in 2025, Simmons had a career-best 11 sacks.
The Bears see Simmons as a player whose impact will extend beyond his individual performance. They believe his presence will elevate the entire defense, and they like what he’ll bring to the locker room as a leader. It's why Poles was willing to take this big swing.
"It's a different feeling," Poles said. "It feels good. I mean, we've done a lot of good work to put ourselves in this position.
"To be in a space that you're chasing championships where we were just trying to get off the ground the first couple years I was here, I feel really good about it."
Early Thursday morning, Bears offensive coordinator Press Taylor's phone rang with a FaceTime call. It was his brother, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, who doesn't call often during the season.
Zac had a wry smile for his brother, and Press didn't realize why at first. Then he was reminded of the Sunday schedule of games. The Bengals take on the Titans, who are now without Simmons.
Of course, Press was among those thrilled when the news broke.
"I was in the division for four years with the guy and I know it’s a nightmare," said Taylor, who was previously the Jaguars' offensive coordinator. "Twice a year it was an absolute nightmare having to deal with him.
"I’m glad we’re not going against him anymore.”
Simmons will be a matchup problem for the Seahawks when Chicago visits Seattle on Monday. Down the line, he’ll pose a problem in pivotal games against the Packers, Lions and Vikings in a tight NFC North race. Every opponent lining up across from the Bears will have to account for Simmons, who will wear No. 99 in Chicago after wearing No. 98 for Tennessee.
After letting out those initial cheers, the Bears got to work making plans for Simmons. Allen began formulating how he could utilize the new weapon for his defense. Taylor even reminded himself of Simmons' two touchdown catches in his career. Johnson greeted Simmons upon his arrival and reminded him of why they're here at Halas Hall.
The Bears believe they can win the Super Bowl this season and beyond. Simmons is ready to do his part.
"I'm excited to be able to help this team compete for a championship," Simmons said.
Chris Emma covers the Bears and the Chicago sports scene for 104.3 The Score.
