With less than two weeks until the NFL’s trade deadline, the Bears and general manager Ryan Poles are making a major defensive splash.

The Bears are acquiring All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for the Bears’ 2027 and 2028 first-round draft picks, plus a 2027 fourth-round pick. The Bears also receive a 2028 fifth-round pick. ESPN/NFL Network reported the deal first.

Simmons, 29, was a first-round selection of the Titans in 2019. Now in his eighth season, he’s turned into a game-wrecker and one of the league’s top interior pass rushers and run-stuffers. 

In 106 career games, Simmons has compiled 46.5 sacks, 96 quarterback hits, 31 pass deflections and nine forced fumbles. He was named a first-team All-Pro for the first time in his career in 2025 and signed a three-year contract extension worth $105.83 million with the Titans in June.

Through seven games this season, his four sacks would tie him with nickel back Kyler Gordon and defensive end Austin Booker for most on the Bears. His nine quarterback hits would lead the team – with the next closest being Booker with six.

Simmons is the third player in Bears history to be acquired for two first-round picks, joining linebacker Khalil Mack (2018, Oakland Raiders) and quarterback Jay Cutler (2009, Denver Broncos).

The CHGO staff weighs in on the trade…

Adam Jahns: This is Ryan Poles’ all-in moment. And this is different than what the Bears did in 2018 by trading for Khalil Mack. This time, the Bears really are ready for this. They’re ready to go all-in. In 2018, the Bears believed in Matt Nagy and Mitch Trubisky, and yet, both still had to prove themselves. The same questions and concerns don’t exist with Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams. They’re already one of the best teams in the NFL. And here’s one more thing: Dennis Allen isn’t going anywhere. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio left the Bears after the 2018 season and everything changed.

Patrick Norton: This won’t be the trade that defines Ryan Poles’ tenure as Bears general manager. That was settled when the Bears wound up with DJ Moore and the draft picks that became Caleb Williams, Darnell Wright, Tyrique Stevenson, Tory Taylor and Luther Burden III. This will be, however, a close second. Simmons is the very definition of a game-changer for the Bears’ defense. And while there is always risk involved when splurging and sacrificing high-round picks, the Bears having Simmons should have them believing those selections will be at the end of the round anyway.

Adam Hoge: The Bears are recognizing their Super Bowl window is open and going for it. You have to respect that. And while this move has plenty of risk, the reality is the Bears still would have been searching for a player like Jeffery Simmons in the offseason anyway. They likely would have used the same draft capital and/or cap space to address their defensive line while hoping that player or players turned into Jeffery Simmons. They don’t have to do that now. They have that guy. And they have him right now for the rest of this season.

Mark Carman: Jeffery Simmons, come win the Bears a Super Bowl. You do not have to do it alone. You do not have to do it this year. Or even next. But sometime between now and 2030, you need to be a part of one for this trade to be considered a success. The Bears traded two first-round picks and a fourth to get Simmons and a fifth-rounder back.

The cost of these types of trades is the flexibility it takes away from the salary cap and other potential impact players that become available. Ryan Poles pushed his chips in now. It makes sense. The Bears needed help up front. If Simmons stays healthy, which he has been his entire career, this trade has the chance of becoming a home run. I’m thinking Marian Hossa to the Blackhawks level, which happened in 2009 before the Blackhawks won three Cups.

Joey Christopoulos: There have been 17 players in NFL history that have been traded for two first-round picks. This is the THIRD time the Bears have pulled the trigger on a move like this (i.e., Jay Cutler, Khalil Mack). Third time’s the charm? Bottom line, the Bears’ defense got better today. If Simmons becomes that force-multiplier, the Bears just added a Monster along the Midway. Credit to Ryan Poles. If you can’t draft ’em, TRADE FOR ‘EM. Monday night can’t get here soon enough.