The Chicago Bears went into Seattle and came away with a convincing 34-17 win over the defending Super Bowl champions. That’s a pretty good way to make a statement to the rest of the NFL. But for Bears fans, something else might be worth watching. The arrival of Jeffery Simmons could be changing what opposing offences have to think about when they prepare for Chicago.

Simmons made an immediate impression in his Bears debut. He finished with six tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, a quarterback hit and a pass defended. Those are impressive numbers for a first outing with a new team. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story.

Chicago didn’t trade two first-round picks for Simmons simply to add another name to its defensive line. It wanted a player who could make life uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks and, just as importantly, create opportunities for everyone around him.

The attention Simmons attracts matters

There’s an interesting detail in how the game unfolded. Simmons was particularly disruptive in the first half. Seattle slowed him down after halftime, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the Seahawks solved the problem. They still had to devote extra attention to him. That’s where the value of a player like Simmons becomes easier to appreciate.

When an offensive line has to devote additional resources to one defensive tackle, somebody else can find more room to work. Montez Sweat, Grady Jarrett and the rest of Chicago’s defensive front can benefit from the attention Simmons commands. The Bears finished with three sacks and held Seattle to just 252 total yards. That’s a pretty encouraging afternoon for a defence that has added a significant new piece.

Chicago may have made everyone better

Another part of this is worth considering. The Bears led for virtually the entire afternoon. Caleb Williams helped establish that advantage with a lengthy opening touchdown drive, and Chicago never gave it back. Playing from ahead gives a defence some freedom. Opponents become more predictable, quarterbacks have to take chances, and pass rushers can be more aggressive about getting after them.

Simmons can help create that environment, but the entire defence has to take advantage of it. It’s still early, and one impressive performance doesn’t guarantee that Chicago has suddenly become an unstoppable defensive team. There will be tougher afternoons ahead.

Still, Bears fans have reason to be encouraged. Simmons didn’t just show what he can do individually in Seattle. He offered a glimpse of what this defence might become when opposing offences have to account for him on every snap.

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