The Chicago Bears' newest defensive superstar has his jersey number, and it carries plenty of history in the Windy City.
The Bears announced that All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons will wear No. 99 in Chicago, switching from the No. 98 he wore throughout his career with the Tennessee Titans. Simmons' former number is already occupied by Montez Sweat, his new teammate on Chicago's defensive line.
Jeffery Simmons will wear a number made famous by a Bears legend
No. 99 is one of the most recognizable numbers in Bears history.
Hall of Fame defensive lineman Dan Hampton wore it throughout his legendary career from 1979 through 1990, helping anchor the defense that powered Chicago to its Super Bowl XX championship.
More recently, the number was worn by defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr.
Simmons arrives with enormous expectations after the Bears surrendered two first-round picks and a fourth-round selection to acquire him from Tennessee, receiving a fifth-round pick in return.
The 29-year-old earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2025 after recording a career-high 11 sacks. He already has four sacks through seven games this season.
Now, he'll attempt to bring that same disruptive presence to Dennis Allen's defense.
For Bears fans, seeing No. 99 back on the defensive line will certainly bring back memories of Hampton's dominance. And if Simmons performs anywhere near his All-Pro standard, that number will become a fan favorite once again.
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