For eight seasons guard Quenton Nelson has faced defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons in the AFC South twice a year depending on their health, and after that amount of time the two must be getting sick of each other.

Two weeks ago they squared off when the Titans beat the Colts and Simmons definitely got the better of it on that day with two sacks, six tackles, six pressures, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Then Nelson got traded by Indianapolis to the Seahawks early this week.

Finally he is rid of his rival while in the safety of the other conference.

Ooops.

Right back in front of Simmons

Now Simmons is coming to the Bears by trade, and on Monday night in the first game both will play for their new team they could be renewing their rivalry.

Jeffery Simmons (now a Bear) v Quenton Nelson (now a Seahawk) on the twist not two weeks ago pic.twitter.com/qLqZ8vuMQp

— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) October 29, 2026

i mean hes a really sharp guy. HEs sbeen working realy hard since he got here getting up to speed.

“I know I need to bring my A-game every time I line up against Quenton,” Simmons told Titans reporters during the offseason. “He plays the game hard. Facing him twice a year for my last seven years, he’s been unbelievable. It’s nothing but respect for Quenton.”

Simmons in the past called it a "heavyweight matchup."

Love the move by the Titans to trade Simmons for two first round picks. Huge haul. Phenomenal player for Bears, who actually have a window to compete for titles.

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 29, 2026

Nelson apparently has similar feelings about facing Simmons.

"It’s his power and then the way he plays the game," Nelson told The Athletic's Stephen Holder. "He plays hard. He’s got a motor. He’s one of the strongest if not THE strongest D-tackles I’ve gone against.

"And he’s not one dimensional. He can hit you with the pass rush or in the run game. He’s definitely the heart of that defense."

Now he'd be the heart of the Bears defense.

How much they'll play Monday

No one is certain yet how much Simmons would be playing because he joins the team at Halas Hall for practice on Friday before a Monday game. In Nelson's case, their plan to use him has already been stated by coach Mike Macdonald.

"He's going to play," Macdonald told Seattle reporters. The plan is to start Nelson against the Bears.

We'll see if they play but potential for Monday Night Football this week ...

Seahawks G Quenton Nelson vs. Bears DT Jeffery Simmons.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 29, 2026

Grey Zabel is moving from left guard to right guard to make room for Nelson in this game.

McDonald anticipates a week being enough time for Nelson to pick up a sufficient amount of the blocking scheme to play at left guard.

"I mean, he's a really sharp guy," Macdonald said. "He's sbeen working realy hard since he got here getting up to speed."

After diving into Jeffery Simmons’ film and weighing the cost, here’s my unfiltered take on the Bears trade.

THE GOOD: Simmons is an absolute GAME WRECKER.

He can line up anywhere along the defensive line, rarely misses time, dominates against the run, and is a legitimate…

— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) October 29, 2026

It's probably easier for a defensive tackle to play than an offensive lineman on short notice. It wouldn't be easy for either. Khalil Mack joined the Bears in 2018 and in the same week he was playing in the opener extensively at Lambeau Field against Green Bay.

So who has the better of it when Nelson and Simmons faced off in the past?

Without a doubt it was Nelson. Although Simmons had two sacks in the last game, he had the same number for all the games they squared off in from 2019 until this year.

Fast forward to this season Nelson Is now Grey Zabel's Teammate and Simmons was traded to the Chicago Bears who play in Seattle Monday Night 🔥🔥#MNF will be a movie 🍿 pic.twitter.com/sWD5WNCZ3L

— Seatalksports (@LETSSEATALK) October 29, 2026