What happened: ESPN analyst Marcus Spears praised defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons for elevating the Chicago Bears' defensive unit. Spears stated that Simmons' interior presence has unlocked the rest of the defense.
Why it matters: Chicago sits at 7-2 and holds the fifth seed in the NFC playoff race behind a four-game winning streak. The Bears acquired Simmons to anchor their front line for the second half of the season.
By the numbers: Simmons has recorded 48 tackles and 6 sacks in 2026 through 9 games. Chicago moved to 7-2 following a 27-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
What to watch: The Bears look to preserve their winning streak and strengthen their wild-card position in the NFC.