Bears pay two first-rounders for Jeffery Simmons

The Chicago Bears acquired four-time Pro Bowler Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans on Thursday. In exchange, the team sent its first-round selections in 2027 and 2028, along with a fourth-round pick in next year's draft. The Bears also received a fifth-round pick in the 2028 draft as part of the deal.

Simmons, 29, has spent his entire career with the Titans since being drafted in the first round in 2019. He is now reunited with former Mississippi State teammate Montez Sweat, who has worn number 98 for Chicago for two seasons. Simmons will wear number 99 for the Bears.

The move addresses a defensive line that general manager Ryan Poles described as having room for improvement. Poles stated that since 2018, every Super Bowl team has featured a high-level interior defensive lineman. He called Simmons a multiplier who can improve the play of teammates.

Simmons has recorded four sacks in seven games this season. According to Next Gen Stats, he led all defensive tackles with 28 pressures going into Week 8. He also generated an NFL-high 10 pressures while facing double teams. The rest of the Bears defense combined for 14 such pressures. Last season, he posted a career-high 11 sacks in 15 games and earned first-team All-Pro honors.

The trade created a lively atmosphere at Halas Hall on Thursday. Poles said the headquarters was on fire. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen described the mood as waking up on Christmas morning to find presents under the tree. Offensive coordinator Press Taylor received a FaceTime call from his brother, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, who shared that he was excited because the Bengals play the Titans this week.

Simmons is scheduled to make his Bears debut on Monday night in Seattle. He said he is still catching up with the playbook and trusting the process during his first week. However, he expressed readiness to help the team win football games.

The Bears enter the week with a 5-2 record. They have won their first two games since quarterback Caleb Williams returned from a hamstring injury. Chicago is chasing the undefeated Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North after winning the division last year for the first time since 2018. The Titans, meanwhile, hold a 1-6 record and have not had a winning season since going 12-5 in 2021.

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, Simmons has 46 and a half career sacks. He also has 31 passes defensed, nine forced fumbles, and seven fumble recoveries in 106 career games, including 104 starts. Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett said Simmons' presence will draw extra attention and help the entire defense.