By Townhall Chicago News Staff
The Chicago Bears on Wednesday acquired three-time All-Pro defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for two first-round draft picks and a fourth-round selection, the team announced.
The trade gives the Bears one of the most disruptive interior pass rushers in the NFL and signals the franchise’s commitment to contending this season. Chicago sent its 2027 and 2028 first-round picks and a 2027 fourth-round pick to Tennessee and received a 2028 fifth-round selection in return, according to the team’s news release.
“We are excited to welcome Jeffery Simmons and his family to Chicago,” general manager Ryan Poles said in a statement. “We are fortunate to have the opportunity to add a player, and a human, like Jeffery to our team, and we look forward to Jeffery’s leadership and command as we continue to work toward sustained success.”
Simmons earned AP First-Team All-Pro honors last season after leading all NFL interior defensive linemen with a career-high 11.0 sacks and 17 tackles for loss, according to the Bears. Since entering the league in 2019, Simmons has recorded 46.5 sacks, the fifth-most by any interior defensive lineman in that span, and 72 tackles for loss, tied for third-most at the position, the team said.
“Jeffery is one of the most respected players in the National Football League,” head coach Ben Johnson said in a statement. “Jeffery has proven to be one of the most impactful run defenders and disruptive pass-rushers in the NFL, and yet, through his leadership, Jeffery will have the opportunity to create a positive impact across our entire team.”
Simmons, 29, has started 104 of his 106 regular-season games for Tennessee since the Titans selected him 19th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. He served as a six-time team captain in Tennessee and has accumulated 414 career tackles, 31 passes defensed, nine forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries over eight seasons, according to the Bears.
He has also appeared in five postseason games and set a franchise record with 3.0 sacks in Tennessee’s 2021 AFC Divisional Round matchup against Cincinnati.
The trade comes as the Bears sit at 5-2 under Johnson, who is in his first year as head coach. Chicago won its most recent game, a 30-24 victory over the New England Patriots on Oct. 22 at Soldier Field. The Bears are preparing for a Monday night game against the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 2.
Chicago’s defensive front has already produced results this season. Cornerback Kyler Gordon recorded 3.0 sacks and two forced fumbles in his return to game action on Oct. 18 against the Atlanta Falcons. But the Bears placed defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo on injured reserve last week, creating a need along the interior line.
The cost is steep. Surrendering two future first-round picks limits the Bears’ draft capital for the next two years. But with second-year quarterback Caleb Williams playing at a high level and the team in contention for a playoff spot, the front office chose to invest in the present.
The Bears next play at 7:15 p.m. Monday in Seattle.
