Bears trade deadline: Jeffery Simmons arrives in Chicago for two first-rounders
The Bears acquired the Tennessee Titans' defensive tackle to anchor their defensive line, a move that mirrors their earlier acquisition of Khalil Mack but avoids the long-term financial commitment.
By Yasmin Nasser ·
The Chicago Bears acquired defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans at the NFL trade deadline on Wednesday. In exchange, the Bears sent two first-round draft picks to Tennessee. The move places one of the league's most disruptive interior pass rushers onto a roster currently sitting at a 5-2 record.
Simmons enters the deal with strong statistical standing for the 2026 season. Pro Football Focus data shows he has recorded 20 run stops, 24 pressures, and four sacks. Those figures rank first in run stops, third in total pressures, and fifth in sacks among interior defensive linemen. His career sack total of 41.5 places him second only to Kansas City Chiefs' Chris Jones, who has 47.5. Last season, Simmons recorded a career-high 11 sacks while playing for the Titans.
Chicago general manager Ryan Poles drove the negotiation, working with head coach Ben Johnson to address roster needs. Johnson said the two have maintained constant dialogue about where the team can improve both immediately and in the long term. "He's turning over every stone that he possibly can to improve this football team just like he has ever since I've gotten in this building and I feel really good about our process," Johnson said.
The Bears will integrate Simmons into a defensive line that already includes Montez Sweat, Grady Jarrett, and Austin Booker. Sweat missed two recent games due to an NFL suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs. During Sweat's absence, nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon recorded four sacks, while reserve pass rusher Daniel Hardy and rookie safety Dillon Thieneman each recorded 1.5 sacks. Johnson noted that Hardy's recent performance warrants more playing time.
The financial structure of the Simmons deal differs from the Bears' 2018 trade for Khalil Mack. The Titans signed Simmons to a team-friendly extension this past offseason, making him the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL but with only two years of guaranteed money. The deal keeps him under contract through the 2027 season, allowing the Bears to move on without dead cap money. The Bears previously traded two first-rounders for Mack, a move that coincided with the eventual departure of quarterback Mitch Trubisky. The franchise now views quarterback Caleb Williams as its long-term starter, a player who led the team to an NFC North title and a playoff victory over the Green Bay Packers this season.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen plans to use Simmons to maintain an aggressive defensive approach. The Bears have used their recent pass rush surge to create one-on-one matchups for Sweat. With Simmons adding interior pressure, the coaching staff aims to leverage the depth of their pass rush package. The trade resolves multiple questions about the defensive line in a single transaction.
