Bears Pay Steep Price for Simmons: Chicago Sends Two First-Rounders to Tennessee

The Chicago Bears paid a high price to acquire defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, sending two first-round draft picks and a fourth-rounder to the South.

The trade included Chicago's first-round selections in 2027 and 2028, along with a fourth-round pick in the 2027 draft. In return, the Bears received Simmons and a fifth-round pick for 2028. The move addresses a defensive line that had struggled early in the season.

Simmons, 29, leads all defensive tackles in the league with 28 pressures this season. He has recorded four sacks in seven games and is the only player to post three sacks against double teams. Last season, he earned a first-team All-Pro selection with a career-high 11 sacks in 15 games.

Tennessee general manager Mike Borgonzi called Simmons an elite player both on and off the field. He noted that the decision to trade was difficult given the respect and admiration he holds for the veteran. "These are tough decisions," Borgonzi said.

Bears coach Ben Johnson described Simmons as one of the most impactful run defenders and disruptive pass-rushers in the NFL. Johnson added that Simmons' leadership would create a positive impact across the entire team. The Bears are currently 5-2 and have won two consecutive games.

The acquisition signals that Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles believe the team can compete for a Super Bowl title, the franchise's first since 1985. The Bears won the NFC North last year with an 11-6 record before losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round of the playoffs.

The Titans are 1-6 this season and have not finished with a winning record since 2021. Coach Robert Saleh acknowledged that teams begin to fish for players when a squad is struggling to close out games. "And eventually a team threw a hook big enough that I don't think any of us could have said no to," Saleh said.

The Bears play the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night. The Titans host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. The NFL trade deadline is scheduled for Nov. 10.