The bulky frame looked like it belonged to Jeffery Simmons, but the burnt orange Chicago Bears undershirt around his chest did not. 

Simmons, the eight-year Tennessee Titans defensive tackle who was dealt to Chicago in a blockbuster trade on Oct. 29, made his practice debut with the Bears on Oct. 30 and was introduced in a press conference afterward. 

“My goal is to always take it day by day and always try to be better than I was the day before, and that’s all I’m here to do,” Simmons said. “I’m not so much worried about Nashville or the trade anymore, it's just trying to get those emotions out of the way and do the best I can to help this football team win games.” 

Simmons addressed Titans fans in a heartfelt Instagram post hours earlier, thanking them for making Nashville his home.

But he’s already shifting gears.  

Simmons, who has generated a league-best 28 pressures among defensive tackles this season, according to NextGen Stats, indicated he will suit up for the Bears (5-2) when they play the Seattle Seahawks (4-3) on Nov. 2 (7:15 p.m., ESPN) for their “Monday Night Football” clash. 

The Bears gave Tennessee a 2027 first-round and fourth-round pick, and a 2028 first-round pick in exchange for Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick. 

Simmons told reporters a day before the trade that he wanted to remain in Tennessee. He was asked if he has leaned on other traded Titans like former safety Kevin Byard, who was dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023. 

“Yesterday, I really didn’t want to reach out to anybody else,” Simmons said. “The only people I actually maybe talked to was my immediate family. I didn’t really reach out to anybody … This is a process. I could still feel some emotions getting ready to come into work this morning. I’m sure the emotion will stay with me until after Monday.”

Simmons was a fan favorite in Nashville, where he ranks 10th all-time in franchise history with 46.5 career sacks. He's already being embraced by a Chicago contingent that hopes his addition leads to a Super Bowl appearance. 

“This is the reason I play the game and do what I do,” Simmons said. “To get the fans behind you and have that support from them, I'm looking forward to it. I see it all over social media. I know I can't give back to everyone but I appreciate the love I’ve been given and am excited to be here in this city.”

What did Jeffery Simmons say about Caleb Williams? 

Simmons ensured there’s no bad blood with Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, after Simmons’ memorably gave Williams a hard time about painting his fingernails in 2024.

The two buried that when the Titans and Bears held a joint practice in August, Simmons said. 

“When we’re on the same team on Sundays, I'll go to war with any of my guys in the locker room. I hope Caleb would know that,” Simmons said. “Those comments a couple years ago about his nails and whatnot, it’s all part of my game as well, with the smack talk. I don’t know if you guys have heard, I’m probably one of the best smack talkers. I talk a lot of smack when I’m on the field. I’m looking forward to being his teammate.” 

The Bears rank seventh in NFL points per game (25.7). Simmons has been able to watch them on two primetime occasions. 

“I played at 12 o’clock every Sunday (in Tennessee),” Simmons said. “You’re watching (Chicago), you see the effort guys are playing with, you see the strain. Scoring (that many points) on the offensive side, what defensive lineman wouldn’t like that, to be able to go out there and pin your ears back and get to the quarterback?”