Bears Trade Two First-Round Picks for Defensive Tackle Jeffery Simmons

The Chicago Bears acquired All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans on Thursday. The deal involved the Bears sending their first-round picks for 2027 and 2028, along with a fourth-round selection in next year's draft. In return, Chicago received Simmons and a fifth-round pick in the 2028 NFL Draft.

Bears head coach Ben Johnson called the move a major boost for the defense. He stated in a release that Simmons has proven to be one of the most impactful run defenders and disruptive pass rushers in the league. Johnson added that through his leadership, Simmons will have the opportunity to create a positive impact across the entire team.

The Bears enter Monday night's game against Seattle with a 5-2 record. They are chasing the undefeated Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North. The addition of Simmons addresses concerns about the team's defensive line. The 29-year-old has recorded four sacks in seven games this season. According to Next Gen Stats, he leads all defensive tackles with 28 pressures. He is also the only player in the league with three sacks against double teams.

Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi said he has deep respect for Simmons. He described the tackle as an elite player both on and off the field. Borgonzi noted that seeing the work Simmons puts in daily over the past year and a half made the decision tough. He added that the leadership Simmons provided during that time was exceptional.

The Bears won the division last season for the first time since 2018. They finished with an 11-6 record under Johnson. The team advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs after beating the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card game. They eventually lost to the Los Angeles Rams in overtime. This trade signals that Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles believe the roster can win the franchise's first Super Bowl since 1985.

Bears coach Ben Johnson said there was a lot going on regarding the upcoming trade deadline on Nov. 10. He noted that improving the team is Ryan Poles' domain, but they maintain constant dialogue about team needs. Johnson said Poles is turning over every stone to improve the football team for this year and the future. He expressed confidence in the process as the deadline approaches.

The Titans are 1-6 going into their Sunday game at Cincinnati. The team went 3-14 in each of the previous two seasons. They have not posted a winning record since finishing 12-5 in 2021. Titans coach Robert Saleh said no one was shopping players, but teams began fishing when the team failed to close out games. He stated that a team eventually threw a hook big enough that no one could have said no.

Simmons was drafted by Tennessee in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. He was a teammate of Bears defensive end Montez Sweat during his college career. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, Simmons has developed into a top interior defensive lineman. He earned first-team All-Pro honors last year after recording a career-high 11 sacks in 15 games.

The four-time Pro Bowler signed a contract extension in June. Reports indicated the deal covered three years and included $100 million in guaranteed money. When asked about the possibility of a trade on Wednesday, Simmons said his goal each day is to stay in the moment. He said he does not worry about things he cannot control because they are a distraction.