Bears Pay Two First-Rounders for Jeffery Simmons in Deadline Move

The Chicago Bears have added veteran defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to their roster in a deal that cost the franchise two future first-round selections. A person familiar with the transaction told The Associated Press on Thursday that the Bears sent their first-round picks for 2027 and 2028 to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for Simmons. The package also included a fourth-round selection in the 2026 draft. In return for the veteran, the Bears received a fifth-round pick from Tennessee in 2028.

The trade addresses a clear need on the Bears defense. The team has won its last two games to improve to a 5-2 record. It enters Monday night’s contest against the Seattle Seahawks trailing the undefeated Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North. The addition of Simmons strengthens a defensive line that had been a point of concern for the coaching staff.

General manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson have signaled that the team believes it is capable of competing for a championship. The Bears won the NFC North last season for the first time since 2018, finishing with an 11-6 record. They advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs, where they lost to the Los Angeles Rams in overtime after defeating the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card game.

Simmons, 29, has recorded four sacks in seven games this season. He earned first-team All-Pro honors last year after posting a career-high 11 sacks in 15 appearances. His experience adds depth to a unit that has shown flashes of potential but lacked consistent interior pressure.

Coach Ben Johnson acknowledged the activity surrounding the trade deadline, which is scheduled for Nov. 10. Speaking on Wednesday, Johnson said there was a lot going on within the organization. He noted that he and Poles maintain constant dialogue regarding the team’s needs. Johnson stated that Poles is turning over every stone to improve the roster for both the current season and the future.

Simmons approached the possibility of a move with a focus on the present. He told reporters on Wednesday that his goal each morning is to simply be where his feet are. He said he does not look ahead or worry about things he cannot control. According to Simmons, those factors are distractions from the immediate task of playing football.