The Bears completed a blockbuster midseason trade, bringing in defensive end Jeffery Simmons for a package that included two first-round picks.
General manager Ryan Poles told reporters in a news conference Friday that given what Simmons had to say about the Titans, he didn’t necessarily think the franchise would part ways with him. But the club believes the defensive tackle can help Chicago now and in the future, considering he’s already under contract until 2030.
But the Poles also wanted to make it clear that the franchise is measuring up to its approach of using picks to acquire premium players.
“One thing I want to hit on, I know it’s kind of a joke that goes around, but ‘The Face They Choose’ is like a big thing — we’re not really talking about that“I know it took a long time to do it, but we absolutely believe that drafting and bringing (in) young talent is how you maintain success here.
“I’m challenging myself and our team, for the picks we have, we’ve got to hit. We’ve got to be great with our undrafted free agent process. And at whatever level of free agency we’re working, which we’re going to have limitations, we’ve got to hit there, too.”
But Simmons is expected to make the Bears better on and off the field, with the Poles expressing confidence in how the veteran defender can positively impact the club’s culture.
“His intensity that he brings to the football field, he has a certain standard of how you play this game,” said the Poles. “He lives it. He models that behavior. I think when he’s not living it, he’s a guy that makes you a little bit uncomfortable as well, which is important. I don’t know that we have that now, and we do it with him, adding to that.
“When your phone blows up and you have coaches, players, people who have been with him talking about what he means to a football team, to the culture, you know exactly what he’s going to do.”
Simmons recorded a career-high 11.0 sacks last season – the first time he reached double-digit sacks in his career. He has tallied 4.0 sacks, six tackles for loss and nine QB hits in seven games so far in 2026.
Poles noted that he assumes Simmons will play in Monday night’s game against the Seahawks.
