Bears acquire three-time All‑Pro Jeffery Simmons from Titans for two first‑round picks

The Chicago Bears announced Oct. 29 that they acquired defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for Chicago’s 2027 first-round pick, 2027 fourth-round pick and 2028 first-round pick. The Bears also receive Tennessee’s 2028 fifth-round pick in the deal.

The price underscores the scale of the move: Chicago gave up two first-round picks for a three-time AP All-Pro interior defender as it looks to strengthen a 5-2 team. Tennessee’s earlier announcement on Oct. 29 said the teams had agreed to the trade compensation and that the deal was pending a physical. Chicago later announced the acquisition.

The trade fits the direction of both teams. The Bears, in contention at 5-2, used significant future draft capital to add an established impact player to the middle of their defensive front. The Titans, at 1-6, presented the move as part of building for the future through added draft assets. Bears general manager Ryan Poles said in the team’s release, “We are excited to welcome Jeffery Simmons and his family to Chicago. … 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, 29, was drafted by Tennessee with the No. 19 overall pick in 2019 out of Mississippi State and developed into one of the league’s most accomplished defensive linemen. He is a three-time AP All-Pro, including first-team All-Pro honors in 2025. Last season, he posted a career-high 11.0 sacks and 17 tackles for loss. Through the trade date, he had appeared in 106 regular-season games, with 104 starts, and recorded 46.5 sacks and 414 tackles.

The timing makes the deal especially notable. Simmons signed a three-year, $105.8 million extension with Tennessee in June 2026 that included $100 million guaranteed, making his departure only months later an unusual shift for a player the franchise had recently recommitted to. Multi-first-round trades for established veterans are uncommon, and this one reflects both Simmons’ standing around the league and how sharply Tennessee’s 2026 season changed course.

Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk thanked Simmons in the team’s release, saying, “There are few people like Jeff Simmons. We are forever grateful for all he has given this team and this city. … Jeff — thank you. For how you played, how you led, and how you represented our team.”

For Chicago, the trade is a clear win-now move for a contender adding a proven defensive centerpiece. For Tennessee, it is a reset that turns one of the roster’s biggest stars into premium draft capital for the years ahead.