Bears acquire Jeffery Simmons in two first-round pick deal with Titans

The Chicago Bears have finalized a trade to acquire defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans. The deal, confirmed on Thursday, sends two first-round picks and a fourth-round selection to Nashville. In return, Chicago receives Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick.

This is the largest package the Bears have exchanged since general manager Ryan Pace traded for Khalil Mack in 2018. The move signals a major push to solidify the defense during the current season. Chicago enters Monday night’s game against the Seattle Seahawks with a 5-2 record, despite starting three different quarterbacks this year.

Simmons is a four-time Pro Bowl selection who signed a three-year, $105.8 million extension with Tennessee before the season began. The Titans have already paid $20 million of his signing bonus. His future cap hits are set at $22.5 million next year, $30.9 million in 2028, and $29.1 million in 2029.

The Bears faced Simmons during a joint practice in training camp. Coach Ben Johnson described Simmons as a bell cow for an attacking front. The 29-year-old, who was drafted 19th overall in 2019 out of Mississippi State, has 46.5 sacks in eight seasons. This season, he has played 87% of the Titans’ snaps, a high volume for a defensive tackle.

Chicago had concerns about its edge rushers earlier in the year. Those worries grew after Dayo Odeyinbo was injured and Montez Sweat served a two-game suspension for drug use. Pro Football Focus ranks Simmons as the sixth-highest-rated pass rusher among defensive tackles, offering help from the interior.

The trade precludes another blockbuster deal before the NFL’s November 10 deadline, though Chicago could still trade third-round picks for veteran players. The agreement stems from the relationship between Bears GM Ryan Poles and Titans GM Mike Borgonzi, who worked together in Kansas City. Borgonzi’s brother Dave coached the Bears’ linebackers from 2022 to 2025.

On Wednesday, Ben Johnson said Poles is turning over every stone to improve the team. Simmons is expected to start next to Grady Jarrett. Chicago traded Gervon Dexter to the Falcons before the season and has since used a rotation of Dexter, Kentavius Street, Neville Gallimore, and Jordan van den Berg.