NFL Trade Reaction: Bengals Celebrate Exit of Star Defensive Tackle
The blockbuster trade sending Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans to the Chicago Bears brought immediate relief to division rivals and family members alike.
A massive trade involving All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons sent shockwaves through the NFL earlier this week when the Tennessee Titans dealt the standout lineman to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a haul of two first-round picks. While the move instantly upgraded the Chicago defense, it also created an unexpected ripple effect for the Cincinnati Bengals, who were scheduled to face the Titans.
During a Friday afternoon news conference, Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Press Taylor fielded questions regarding the team's new acquisition. He revealed that his brother, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, wasted no time reaching out after the trade news broke to celebrate the development.
Press Taylor noted that he was initially confused by his brother's enthusiastic reaction until Zac reminded him that the Bengals no longer had to prepare for one of the league's most dominant defensive linemen in their upcoming matchup. The absence of Simmons significantly alters the tactical approach for the Cincinnati coaching staff.
Simmons has remained a rare standout performer for a struggling Titans squad currently sitting at 1-6 this season. Following a stellar 2025 campaign where he recorded 11 sacks and 67 tackles, he has continued his high level of play into 2026, leading all defensive tackles with 28 pressures through seven games according to Next Gen Stats.
Cincinnati players shared the coaching staff's sentiment regarding the blockbuster transaction. Bengals center Ted Karras admitted to the local media that the trade spared him hours of anxiety on Sunday, noting that the prospect of facing Simmons had already cost him sleep earlier in the week.
Defensive tackles previously accounted for nearly half of the ten sacks allowed by the Bengals through six games, making the avoidance of Simmons a crucial development for the team's pass protection. With the Titans now forced to rely on depth options such as Jermaine Johnson II, John Franklin-Myers, and Solomon Thomas, the Bengals' offensive line anticipates a less turbulent afternoon.
As the Bengals aim to improve their record to 5-2 and contend for the top spot in the AFC North, the unexpected roster shake-up provides a timely boost. Similar to how the rest of the division reacted when the Cleveland Browns traded Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams, the removal of elite talent from an opponent's lineup offers a welcome reprieve for opposing offenses.