Although Jeffery Simmons is eager to play meaningful football after enduring four consecutive double-digit loss campaigns and a 1-6 start with the Tennessee Titans, the new Chicago Bears defensive tackle is still leaving plenty behind, at least for now. He formed lifelong bonds and made wonderful memories in Nashville, but most importantly, that is the city where Simmons started his family.
The 2025 First-Team All-Pro and two-time Second-Team All-Pro gave the media and fans a glimpse of the bittersweet emotions he is currently processing.
“To leave my daughter yesterday, that was probably the hardest part,” Simmons said on Friday, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz. “Hugging her before I headed to the airport… 3 years old, at that age they don’t really understand what’s about to happen. From seeing her every day of the week to figuring out the schedule now. It’s been a lot of emotion these last couple days, but today it felt great. It felt great to actually get on the practice field, to move around with the guys.”
Jeffery Simmons says the hardest part about getting traded was abruptly having to leave his 3-year-old daughter and hug her goodbye before heading to Chicago.
The things we don’t see… pic.twitter.com/ljnuzIix93
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 30, 2026
Simmons is obviously blessed to earn his living as an NFL star, but that does not make these abrupt and life-altering transitions easy. Easier yes, but not easy. He understands how important it is for a toddler to have a daily routine and must now adjust while ironing out all the other details. The four-time Pro Bowler is tending to his temporary heartache by staying busy with the Bears.
Chicago is already faring quite well on defense, holding opponents to only 87.6 rushing yards per game (third-best in NFL) and recording 19 sacks through seven weeks (tied for eighth). Jeffery Simmons can help the Bears improve even further in those areas.
The 29-year-old has four sacks, 38 combined tackles, six tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and four passes defended this season. He will play under respected defensive mind Dennis Allen, with the goal of helping Chicago (5-2) leap past the undefeated Minnesota Vikings and toward a second straight NFC North title.
The Bears traded a pair of first-round draft picks because they believe this man can have a championship-level impact on their already talented roster. Simmons will try to prove them right, starting with Monday’s matchup against the home-team Seattle Seahawks (4-3).
He will continue to prepare for that prime-time showdown and familiarize himself with the playbook, but in between, the new No. 99 will likely gush over his daughter’s Halloween costume.
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