Chicago Bears Trade Two First-Round Picks for Jeffery Simmons

Jeffery Simmons will play for a different team this week. The Chicago Bears acquired the 29-year-old defensive tackle from the Tennessee Titans on Thursday. The trade shifts a key piece of the Bears' front seven and alters the future draft capital of both franchises.

The Bears sent their first-round selections for 2027 and 2028 to Tennessee. They also included a fourth-round pick in next year's draft. In return, Chicago received Simmons and a fifth-round pick in 2028. The exchange represents a heavy financial commitment by a team that finished 11-6 last season.

Simmons has recorded four sacks in seven games this year. According to Next Gen Stats, he leads all defensive tackles with 28 pressures. He is the only player in the league to register three sacks against double teams. These metrics contributed to his First-Team All-Pro selection last season, during which he set a personal best with 11 sacks in 15 games.

Tennessee general manager Mike Borgonzi described the decision as difficult. "Jeff has been an elite player here in this organization, both on and off the field," Borgonzi said. He noted that his respect for Simmons is higher than for any other player he has managed. Borgonzi added that the move reflects the reality of a team that has not won a season since 2021.

The Titans are currently 1-6 and will play in Cincinnati on Sunday. They finished 3-14 in each of the last two seasons. Head coach Robert Saleh acknowledged that teams with losing records become targets in the trade market. "Eventually a team threw a big enough hook that I don't think any of us could have said no," Saleh said.

Chicago head coach Ben Johnson has maintained a steady dialogue with general manager Ryan Poles about roster needs. Johnson said the team is evaluating every option to improve both this year and in the future. He expressed confidence in the process as the November 10 trade deadline approaches. The Bears enter Monday's game in Seattle with a 5-2 record, trailing the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North.

Simmons was drafted by Tennessee in the first round of 2019 out of Mississippi State. He stands 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 305 pounds. The four-time Pro Bowler signed a three-year contract extension in June that included $100 million in guaranteed money. His arrival in Chicago addresses a defensive line that had been questioned earlier in the season.