Bears pay two first-round picks for defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons
Chicago sends 2027 and 2028 first-round selections plus a 2026 fourth-rounder to Tennessee in exchange for the All-Pro and a 2028 fifth-round pick.
By Henry Wilson ·
The Chicago Bears acquired defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans in a trade finalized on Thursday, according to a person familiar with the deal. The transaction involves the Bears sending their first-round selections in the 2027 and 2028 drafts to the Titans. They also included a fourth-round pick in the 2026 draft. In return, the Bears received Simmons and a fifth-round pick in the 2028 draft.
The source spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been publicly announced. The move significantly alters the composition of the Bears' defensive line. The team had struggled to generate consistent pressure on the quarterback during the first eight games of the season.
Simmons is 29 years old and enters the deal with four sacks in seven games this year. He earned first-team All-Pro honors last season after recording a career-high 11 sacks in 15 games. His addition joins a roster currently led by quarterback Caleb Williams. The Bears have won two consecutive games to improve their record to 5-2.
The team is chasing the undefeated Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North. They enter Monday night's game at Seattle with momentum. The acquisition signals confidence in the team's current trajectory. General manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson believe the roster now has the necessary pieces to compete for a championship.
The Bears won the division title last season for the first time since 2018. They finished with an 11-6 record in Johnson's first year as head coach. The team advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs last year. They defeated the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card game before losing to the Los Angeles Rams in overtime.
Johnson discussed the trade deadline on Wednesday, noting that there was a lot of activity surrounding the team. He stated that he maintains constant dialogue with Poles regarding the team's needs for the current season and future years. Johnson said he feels good about the process as the deadline approaches on Nov. 10.
Simmons addressed the possibility of a trade on Wednesday. He said his daily goal is to focus on his immediate situation and not worry about things he cannot control. He described those external factors as a distraction. The 29-year-old has played in the NFL since being drafted in 2022.
Source: Greenwich Time
