The Chicago Bears stunned the NFL world on Thursday when the team made the trade to land All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, who immediately elevates this defense and overall team into a Super Bowl threat. Not only in 2026, but for years to come.

It was an expensive trade, and one that will create clear constraints for this front office moving forward. Yet, it was a necessary opportunity for the Bears to jump at to land one of the top defensive players in football.

General manager Ryan Poles shared with reporters how this was a door he’s been knocking on for a while now. Poles had a solid relationship with Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi cultivated during their time moving up the ranks with the Kansas City Chiefs. In his previous inquiries, Poles was turned away from his interests in bringing Simmons to Chicago. However, after reaching out again Wednesday night, it was clear the time was right and this was the best opportunity for all parties involved.

And so, on Thursday morning, the trade was announced and Simmons was acquired by the Chicago Bears. It was the big swing this team needed defensively and finally gives the Bears an impact defender they’ve long been searching for.

Ryan Poles responds to the criticism he’s received about not building the defensive line

Ever since Ryan Poles took over as the team’s general manager in 2022, this team has struggled to find quality players on the defensive line. Poles certainty took some swings such as trading for Montez Sweat and signing veterans such as Yannick Ngakoue, Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo. However, those players weren’t high-level impact players.

Even in the draft, Poles passed on opportunities of adding blue-chip talents such as Jalen Carter, Jared Verse, and others in favor of addressing other positions. The picks he did make on the defensive line (Gervon Dexter, Zacch Pickens, Austin Booker, etc.) weren’t major impacts that this team needed either. That process really frustrated a lot of people.

“I remember having conversations with you guys and I hear about it all the time – ‘Does Poles value defensive linemen’ – like I’m well aware of the impact those guys have on football teams,” Poles told reporters on Friday. “If you do the research, Super Bowl teams – since you probably go back to 2018 – they all have what we call a ‘Red-level’ interior defensive lineman. In order to get to there, you need one. I really believe that…”

“We’ve been searching,” Poles added. “In the draft, when you go best available, sometimes the draft doesn’t provide that to you. I know free agency really doesn’t do that at that level. It’s very hard for (those) guys to get out of the building when they have all of those (traits) that we’re talking about. We’ve been searching and it was an opportunity that we had to jump on… This is one that we felt like we could make work.”

Now, the Bears finally found a way to land that “Red-level” threat on the interior in Jeffery Simmons needed to push for a Super Bowl.

The numbers speak for themselves 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/1Mc03AUc4v

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 30, 2026

Jeffery Simmons is a multiplier for this team

Everyone by now has seen the stats. Simmons is a monster and arguably the best defensive tackle in the game. He’s been a game-wrecker for a team that frankly hasn’t deserved it. Now, he gets the opportunity to join a roster that’s ready to win now and he can help be a multiplier for this team.

“We really believe this is going to help us take the next step as an organization,” Poles said. “You do this type of move when you have an impact player on the grass as well as someone that can enhance your culture as well. I don’t think it can be either or when you talk about a move of this size. You need to have both and that’s what Jeffery does. We believe he’s going to impact us at a high level on the grass but also in the locker room too.”

Simmons will obviously bring immense presence to the interior of Chicago’s defensive line. He’s an unrelenting force capable of producing even with heavy attention going his way. And the Bears have plenty of talent up-front to supplement a threat like that.

Montez Sweat is one major beneficiary. Head coach Ben Johnson challenged Sweat earlier this week to win more consistently against one-on-one opportunities, and having Simmons on the inside will help create those looks on the edge.

“That closest path to the quarterback is inside and often times that will open up some things on the outside for your guys,” Poles explained. “Just talking with Montez, he’s locked in and ready to go. This is one of his guys and I think he elevates his game being around Jeffery. That’s our expectation and the expectation he has for himself as well.”

With the added threat lifting all boats on the defensive line, that will allow the secondary to also improve. All year long, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has been preaching about marrying the pass rush with the pass coverage. Through seven games, the Bears weren’t able to achieve that. The pass rush was far too inconsistent and the pass coverage was struggling as a result. With Simmons coming in, the pass rush should open up and be able to hit home more consistently, which should clean the issues up in coverage as well.

“Going back to Jeffery, I think he’s a multiplier,” Poles said. “I think when you can provide pressure, you help your secondary tremendously. Secondary-wise, there’s been some ups and downs. I love what I’ve seen Kyler (Gordon) do in certain situations. I’ve really liked Malik (Muhammad) and his maturity, and there’s been ups and downs for him too but he’s a young player. Same with Jaylon (Johnson) and Tyrique (Stevenson), there’s been ups and downs and they are trying to find their way. But, I do think when you add someone like Jeffery, you make a huge impact for them too.”

It’s been a long road to find a player like this, and it came at a significant cost, but this is the kind of player Jeffery Simmons can be for this team. He’s a difference-maker for everyone involved and the results will shine immediately once he steps on the field.