Bears Film Breakdown: Jeffery Simmons vs. Quenton Nelson Highlight WK 6 Game

Jeffery Simmons' name speaks for itself. 

The three-time All-Pro, four-time Pro Bowler, and absolute unit of a defensive tackle is now a member of the Chicago Bears after general manager Ryan Poles sent two first-round picks and a 2027 fourth-round pick to the Tennessee Titans for the difference-making defensive player and a 2028 fifth-round pick in return. 

What he's accomplished since 2019 places Simmons at the top of the league at his respective position. Since 2025, he ranks first in all of these categories, according to NFL Researcher.

Simmons is a difference-maker and elevates everyone on the Bears' defense. In his eighth season in the NFL, Simmons has 24 quarterback pressures, four sacks and 24 total tackles. In Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts, he registered a season-high seven total quarterback pressures and finished with two sacks. 

He also went up against All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson, who he will face on Monday night in the Bears' Week 8 primetime matchup at Lumen Field. 

Here's a look at some of Simmons reps in the Titans' only win of the season. 

Let's start with the premiere matchup between Simmons and Nelson. 

On this rep, Simmons does a nice job of getting into Nelson's pads, standing up the guard and locating the ball carrier in the backfield. The defensive tackle sheds the block and tackles the ball carrier for a 2-yard gain. 

Here is another rep between the two All-Pro players. Simmons bursts off the snap, uses his hands to fight off Nelson and dents the pocket. Quarterback Daniel Jones feels the pressure and leaves the pocket, and ends the play by throwing an interception. 

As expected when two high-caliber players face each other in game, each one will win their fair share of reps. Nelson utilizes his hands to knock Simmons off balance, which prevents the All-Pro DT from impacting the play. 

On Simmons' first sack of the game, the veteran defensive lineman does a good job of sticking with the play. The Colts move the pocket away from Simmons, but he doesn't give up on the rep, fights through the blocker and gets himself a sack. 

According to Pro Football Focus, Simmons has lined up over the offensive tackle or outside of OT on 152 of his 421 defensive snaps. That's exactly what happens on this third-and-4 rep. He's in a 3-point stance and walks back the Colts' tight end. Credit to quarterback Daniel Jones, who hangs in the pocket and delivers an accurate throw for the first down. 

But this rep show the versatility in Simmons' game and opens up possibilities for defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. 

Simmons didn't get the sack on this play, but check out the penetration he creates against the center. That disruption in the backfield sets up his teammate to bring down the quarterback. 

As you watch Simmons play, you will see how he uses his hands as weapons. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound defensive tackle keeps his hands active, using swim moves and swatting away blockers. This rep is a perfect example of how Simmons wins at the line of scrimmage. 

One last observation about Simmons from the Week 6 game and something that likely shows up in the other games is the effort he displays in each snap. There are a lot of reps when Simmons is double teamed, and offenses will continue to game plan for him in Chicago by running the ball in the opposite direction or using play action to  separate the distance from the start defensive player. 

Well, Simmons will find his way to the ball. That's what he does. In the play below, the ball carrier gains seven yards, but Simmons makes the tackle and travels a far distance to make the tackle. 

Bears fans have a lot to be excited about with the addition of Simmons. He will speak at Halas Hall for the first time on Friday afternoon and will likely make his Bears debut  on Monday Night Football against the Seahawks to conclude Week 8 of the NFL season.