The Seattle Seahawks are heading into Monday Night Football with a Chicago Bears team that has some real momentum, and one of the clearest signs of where Chicago is right now came in the form of a major trade. The move was costly, but according to Chicago Bears On SI contributor Mike Moraitis, it was the kind of aggressive swing the Bears needed to make while Caleb Williams is still on his rookie deal.
That deal brings in Simmons, and Moraitis believes he changes the feel of the defense right away. He said Simmons should help both the pass rush and run defense, while also adding “a little more attitude upfront.” He also expects Simmons to be on the field in Week 8, pointing to the extra day to get ready.
Williams is another central piece of this matchup, and Moraitis says the Bears quarterback has picked up right where he left off before his injury. In his view, nothing about Williams’ game has changed in a negative way. Moraitis described him as “rapidly ascending to the elite quarterback the Bears hoped he would turn into when they took him No. 1 overall in 2024,” adding that his accuracy, decision-making and mobility have all taken a clear step forward.
Chicago’s offense has another layer, too, and Moraitis pointed to the Ben Johnson factor. The Bears already have plenty of talent on that side of the ball, but he said having an elite play-caller makes the unit even more dangerous and gives Chicago extra confidence against any opponent.
There are still soft spots, though, and Moraitis singled out the cornerback group as one of them. He said the Bears have had very inconsistent play there, especially from Jaylon Johnson, who he noted has not looked like the elite corner he once was. If Seattle targets him, Moraitis believes that could lead to “positive and game-changing results.”
Even with those questions lingering, Moraitis sees Chicago as a legitimate contender in 2026. But he also framed this game as a proving ground.
In his view, the Bears need to pass this test if they want to be taken seriously, and he expects them to do just that. His prediction: Bears 23, Seahawks 21.
In Other News...
Quenton Nelson Just Raised The Stakes For Seattles Offensive Line
The Seahawks made a major move to stabilize the middle of their offensive line, landing guard Quenton Nelson from the Colts for a pair of future draft picks. Seattle expects Nelson to step in at left guard, and the trade immediately changes the look of a unit that has been searching for more consistency up front. For a team trying to protect its quarterback and create a cleaner run game, the addition carries obvious weight.
Nelson is now in the middle of the usual post-trade adjustment period, learning a new offensive scheme and getting acquainted with new teammates. The Seahawks are giving him support as he settles in, but the ripple effect is already clear: his arrival forces a reshuffle along the line and raises the standard for everyone around him. How quickly that group clicks will be one of the more important early storylines for Seattle. [Read more 🡒]
Rashid Shaheed Trade Still Looks Worth It For Seahawks
The Seahawks brought in Rashid Shaheed during the 2025 season to give their offense and special teams a jolt, and the move already looks like one of those midseason swings that can pay off in more than one way. Shaheed was part of Seattles Super Bowl run last season, offering useful production as both a receiver and a return man while giving the team a speed element it had been looking for.
This season has not started as explosively on the receiving side, with his production down so far, but Seattle still has a player who can tilt field position every time he touches a kick or punt. For a team that values hidden yardage and game-changing speed, that kind of versatility keeps the trade looking smart even if the box score has been quieter lately. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Backfield Suddenly Has A Monday Night Twist Fans Need To See
Jadarian Prices return from injured reserve gave Seattles backfield an immediate jolt on the latest injury report, and it came with the kind of timing that can change how the Seahawks approach a game plan. Mike Macdonald said Price could be in line to play in the upcoming game, which adds another layer to a running back room that has already been under the microscope as the team tries to sort out who is available and how much work each player can handle.
The bigger wrinkle is Zach Charbonnet, who went from full participation to limited work in practice, leaving his status less certain than it looked earlier in the week. Elsewhere on the report, Charles Cross, Rashid Shaheed and Uchenna Nwosu were held out, while Leonard Williams and Drake Thomas moved all the way to full participation, giving Seattle a mixed health picture heading into Monday night and a few lineup decisions still hanging in the balance. [Read more 🡒]