Jeffery Simmons had no stable home growing up; now, he's turning sacks into support for single parents

Jeffery Simmons is garnering massive eyeballs with a recent trade that he is part of. He is reportedly leaving the Tennessee Titans in a blockbuster trade for the Chicago Bears. It's a significant move for the Bears as it restructures their defensive line and gives them a proven pass rusher. But Simmons has another story to tell beyond the football. He was a kid that moved around a lot and experienced quite a bit of housing instability in his early years in a single parent household. He's using every sack he gets to help other families find a stable place to live.

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Jeffery Simmons contract

The Chicago Bears are acquiring four-time Pro Bowl DT Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans (per ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport). The Titans get the '27 and '28 first rounders along with a '27 4th rounder. Chicago gets a '28 5th rounder as part of the deal.


Simmons signed a 3 year, $105.8m contract extension with Tennessee in June (includes $100m guaranteed) and is under contract through the 2030 season. The Ringer's Tom Pelissero first reported the news.

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Why did the Bears trade for Jeffery Simmons

Chicago is adding one of the NFL's most productive defensive tackles. Simmons has 46.5 sacks over eight seasons and was a first-team All-Pro last season after recording a career high of 11 sacks. He's been churning out production in 2026. Through seven games he has 4 sacks, 6 tackles for loss and 4 passes defended to lead the Vols in all three of those categories.

Per NFL Next Gen Stats he's had 28 pressures this season which is the most of any defensive tackle. That total includes 10 pressures and three sacks against double teams, also the highest figures in those categories.

The trade also reunites him with former Mississippi State teammate Montez Sweat on Chicago’s defensive line.

For Tennessee, losing Simmons leaves a major gap inside the defense. Veterans Solomon Thomas and John Franklin Myers are expected to be part of the rotation replacing him. The inputs are taken from NFL Network and ESPN.

How is Jeffery Simmons using his sacks to help single parents

Jeffrey Simmons has also been putting his success on the field toward a cause rooted in his childhood. He launched “Sacks for Forever Homes” with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville in September. Through his Give Em A Reason Foundation, he pledged $1,980 for every sack he records during the 2026 season. The information is taken from News Channel 5 Nashville and The Tennessee Titans.

The money will support single parents seeking stable housing and a path to homeownership.

“'Sacks For Forever Homes' is bigger than football for me; it's personal,” said Simmons. “Growing up with a single mom, moving from place to place, and not always having the stability of a permanent home, I know what that uncertainty feels like. So this season, I'm committing $1,980 for every sack to help give single parents and their children something every family deserves… a safe, stable place they can call home forever.”

Lauren Payne, chief philanthropy officer for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville, said the money would help with down payment assistance for homebuyers and provide a hardship fund for families facing challenges such as job loss.

Payne also said Simmons understood the difficulties single parent families can face because of his own experience growing up.

Fans can contribute by pledging money for each sack or making a one time donation. The initiative aims to help families move toward affordable, lasting housing. Simmons’ trade to Chicago marks a major change in his football career. His housing initiative, meanwhile, reflects a personal commitment that goes beyond the game.