Jeffery Simmons Trade: Bears Acquire All-Pro DT, Titans Gain Draft Capital

On October 29, 2026, the Chicago Bears and Tennessee Titans completed a blockbuster trade. Chicago received All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick. Tennessee acquired the Bears’ 2027 first-round pick, 2028 first-round pick, and a 2027 fourth-round pick. The move was announced the morning of the trade and is pending a physical. At the time of the deal, the Bears were 5-2 and chasing the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North, while the Titans were 1-6 and deep in a rebuild.

The TennesseanKTVT - Dallas - Fort Worth NewsUSA TodayTitans Trade DT Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears in Exchange for Two First-Round Picks NBC Chicago - WMAQSports IllustratedThe TennesseanBears acquire DT Jeffery Simmons from Titans in blockbuster trade

Simmons entered the 2026 season under a three-year, $105.8 million extension. The 29-year-old interior lineman had posted four sacks in seven games and led defensive tackles in pressures. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2025 and a four-time Pro Bowler.

NBC Sports

The Titans’ 2024-2026 campaigns produced a 7-34 record, and a 1-6 start in 2026 left them far from the playoffs. Head coach Robert Saleh and GM Mike Borgonzi said the franchise needed to “accelerate the process” and stockpile draft assets.

Newsweek

Chicago, under head coach Ben Johnson and GM Ryan Poles, had identified the interior defensive line as a weakness. The Bears’ defense ranked 23rd in interior pass-rush win rate (13 %) and 20th in overall pressure rate (28.8 %). Adding Simmons was seen as a way to upgrade the run defense and generate interior pressure without constant blitzes.

ESPN

• Jeffery Simmons – 2026 season: 4 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, 38 total tackles, 28 pressures (lead among DTs). Career: 46.5 sacks, 414 tackles, 4 Pro Bowls, 1 first-team All-Pro.

Daily Wire

• Draft compensation – Titans receive two first-round picks (2027, 2028) and a 2027 fourth-round pick; Bears receive a 2028 fifth-round pick in addition to Simmons.

The Tennessean

He added that the trade was necessary to give the franchise a better chance to rebuild.

CBS Sports

Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk expressed gratitude for Simmons, highlighting his on-field presence and charitable work through the Give ’Em A Reason Foundation.

WTVC - Chattanooga

Bears coach Ben Johnson said the organization has “constant dialogue” about roster needs and that acquiring Simmons aligns with a strategy to improve both the current season and future years.

WFLD - Fox 32 - Chicago

Bears GM Ryan Poles called the deal a “monster” move that signals Chicago’s belief it can contend for a Super Bowl this season.

CBS Sports

The trade drew sharp criticism from Titans coach Robert Saleh, who told reporters, “It sucks. Everything about it sucks,” emphasizing the short-term loss of the franchise’s defensive cornerstone.

USA Today

• “Each and every day I wake up, my goal is to be where my feet are at,” — Jeffery Simmons

Titans Trade DT Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears in Exchange for Two First-Round Picks

• “At no point anytime since I've been here did we ever try to trade Jeffrey Simmons,” — Mike Borgonzi, Titans GM

ESPN

• “I told our guys, when you don't close out games and you're standing here at 1-6 teams are going to start fishing,” — Robert Saleh, Titans coach

ESPN