NFL
Chad Johnson and Shannon Sharpe Praise Jeffery Simmons After Bears Beat Seahawks
Johnson explains the price Chicago paid for Simmons, while Sharpe discusses the Bears’ pass rush and Caleb Williams’ accuracy on the move. Watch three clips from Nightcap.
“Those two first rounds and that fourth, this is why,” Chad Johnson said on Nightcap after Jeffery Simmons’ Chicago debut in the Bears’ 34–17 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night.
Johnson, Shannon Sharpe and Joe Johnson discussed Simmons’ immediate impact, the opportunities Chicago’s offense creates for its defense and Caleb Williams’ ability to deliver accurate throws while moving. Their conversation followed the November 2 game at Lumen Field, where Chicago improved to 6–2 and Seattle fell to 4–4.
Johnson: Simmons showed why Chicago made the trade
Chad Johnson pointed to the price Chicago paid for Simmons and the disruption the defensive tackle supplied in his first game with the team. He called Simmons the best defensive tackle in football, an assessment Sharpe echoed during the discussion.
“And tonight, and him being able to put on that small demonstration, to get you to understand why the GM, why the owner, why Ben Johnson actually gave up what they gave up just to get him,” Johnson said, before pointing to the two first-round selections and fourth-round pick.
The confirmed trade sent Tennessee Chicago’s 2027 and 2028 first-round picks and its 2027 fourth-rounder. Chicago also received a 2028 fifth-round selection.
According to the NFL’s game report, Simmons finished with six tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss and a pass deflection. His sack came on his fourth snap as a Bear, although a subsequent face-mask penalty by Grady Jarrett reduced the benefit of the play.
Sharpe’s explanation: play with a lead and pursue the quarterback
Joe Johnson connected the defensive addition to Chicago’s offense. Sharpe then explained why he thought the combination would create problems for opponents.
“And so what can you do when you got the lead? You can go hunt the quarterback,” Sharpe said.
Chicago sacked Sam Darnold three times and intercepted him once. Darnold completed 17 of 34 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns, while Seattle converted one of 11 third downs. The Bears outgained the Seahawks 363–252.
Williams’ accuracy on the move
Sharpe contrasted Darnold’s preference for a clean pocket with the ways Williams can throw while changing his arm angle or moving in either direction. He singled out a running throw to Luther Burden III.
“It’s not behind him. It’s not too far in front of him. It’s perfect money,” Sharpe said.
Williams threw for 247 yards. He became the first quarterback to reach 200 passing yards against Seattle this season; the Seahawks had not allowed more than 176 to an opposing passer through their first seven games.
Video and broadcast stills: Nightcap’s original Bears–Seahawks discussion, with Shannon Sharpe, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson and Joe Johnson. The excerpts retain the original audio and playback speed. Game statistics: NFL.com.
