Chicago, Illinois: Bears Land Jeffery Simmons From Titans for Two First-Round Picks

The Chicago Bears acquired defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, October 29, in a blockbuster trade ahead of the November 10 deadline. Chicago sends Tennessee its first-round picks in 2027 and 2028 and a fourth-round pick in 2027. The Bears also receive a fifth-round pick in 2028 along with Simmons, and the teams confirmed the terms.

Simmons, 29, is the first defensive tackle in the common draft era, which dates to 1967, to be traded for multiple first-round picks, according to USA Today. Tennessee drafted him 19th overall in 2019, and he spent all eight of his NFL seasons with the Titans, recording 46.5 sacks and 72 tackles for loss. He made four Pro Bowls and earned First Team All-Pro honors last season, when he posted a career high 11 sacks. Through seven games this season he has four sacks.

A move made four months after an extension

The timing surprised the league and the player. In June, Tennessee signed Simmons to a three-year extension worth a reported $105.8 million, with $100 million guaranteed, keeping him under contract through the 2030 season. On Wednesday, October 28, he told reporters he had heard nothing from his agent or the organization. "As far as I know, I am going to be here," he said. Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi said Simmons was surprised by the decision and had not wanted to leave.

Borgonzi said Bears general manager Ryan Poles called him on Wednesday evening with the first serious offer. After talks with head coach Robert Saleh and controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk, Borgonzi agreed to the deal. Strunk thanked Simmons in a statement. "We are forever grateful for all he has given this team and this city," she said.

Why Tennessee did it, and why Chicago paid

Tennessee is 1-6 in its first season under Saleh and has not won consecutive games since 2022. "You have to be real with where you're at when you look at the team, and how are we going to be better next year, the year and the year after," Borgonzi said. "You're always looking at a three-year window with a roster in terms of guys under contract. We felt like this was the best decision moving forward for us, as hard as it is, to really accelerate that process." Saleh was blunter. "It sucks. Everything about it sucks," he said. "Unfortunately, it was necessary." Borgonzi said the club was not actively shopping Simmons and dismissed the idea of a wider fire sale.

Chicago is 5-2 and second in the NFC North in its second season under head coach Ben Johnson, with third-year quarterback Caleb Williams improving. The defense ranks eighth in yards allowed and third against the run, and Simmons joins veteran Grady Jarrett inside, with pass rusher Montez Sweat back from a two-game suspension. Safety Amani Hooker, drafted by Tennessee in the same 2019 class, summed up the locker room reaction in Nashville. "Definitely was surprised and shocked," he said. "Great friend. Hell of a player. Obviously hurts."

For Chicago, the price says the front office believes this team can contend now. For Tennessee, the two extra first-round picks, four in total across the 2027 and 2028 drafts, become the base of a rebuild.