There is a reason every offensive coach talks about Jefferey Simmons the way that they do. The Chicago Bears head coach builds protections for a living, so when he spends part of a press conference explaining what his new defensive tackle does to an offense, it's worth listening to.
While it's true that many people are excited about the potential sacks that Simmons is sure to bring to Chicago, Johnson is looking at this in the long term, the same as the front office. Simmons has posted four sacks on the season, with 38 tackles already collected on the season.
An offense can't treat Simmons like he's just any defensive tackle, and once they bend toward a single player, everyone else's job automatically gets easier.
"He's a guy that forces an offense to know where he is and affects their protection, affects the run game, all those things. And so we look forward to seeing the impact that he can have, not just on dictating some terms to the offense, but also elevating those around him as well through his play and through his leadership because those have been the constants throughout his career so far."Ben Johnson
Everyone behind Simmons gets an easier job
The men who benefit most might be the ones standing behind him. Dennis Allen has done an excellent job creating pressure on the quarterback using disguised looks when the wasn't much confidence in the line.
A defensive tackle who commands a double team opens the door for players like Montez Sweat, Simmons' college teammate, would therefore be placed in a one-on-one matchup to move in and get the sack. Meanwhile, the linebackers get to run free instead of focusing on shedding guards.
Beyond the field, Simmons has been an outspoken leader for the Tennessee Titans organization, having been nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award three straight years. His impact is something that can be felt across not just the defense, but the entire team. He's exactly the kind of piece that the Bears' defense can rally around.
If Simmons bends Seattle's offense toward him on Monday night the way Johnson described, the Bears will not just have added a star. They will have added the player who makes the whole defense make sense.
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