Bears Acquire Jeffrey Simmons From Titans for Two First-Round Picks
The Chicago Bears acquired defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons from the Tennessee Titans for two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick. The Jeffrey Simmons trade has fans and analysts asking what Chicago does next before the deadline, with the secondary an obvious weak spot.
The Chicago Bears have acquired defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons from the Tennessee Titans, sending two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick to Tennessee ahead of the NFL trade deadline. The Jeffrey Simmons trade is the biggest move of Bears general manager Ryan Poles' tenure so far, and it surprised many fans who expected the team to hold back.
Chicago's bet rests on youth. Quarterback Caleb Williams, receiver Rome Odunze and other key players are still on rookie contracts, which leaves the Bears room to spend on trade targets and free agents without clearing large amounts of salary cap space.
Why the Bears say the price works
Most Chicago starters are still on their initial deals, and the core group also includes Luther Burden. All of them have years of team control left. That means the team can afford to give up future picks, and Poles is betting that by the time Chicago needs to restock, the Simmons deal will be old news.
Simmons joins a defense run by head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. The Bears expect him to draw double teams from the inside, which should help the rest of the unit.
The front office has shown it will spend draft capital to win now. More aggressive moves before the deadline look likely.
Secondary still a concern
The back end of the defense is shakier. Cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson have struggled with consistency this season. Rookie Malik Muhammad has played well but is dealing with a toe injury, and relying on a fourth-round rookie to lead the group is a risk for a playoff team.
One name floated is Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Riq Woolen. Analyst Matt Bowen proposed a trade for a fifth-round pick, arguing that Woolen has the size and speed to play man coverage in Allen's scheme.
The Bears are also said to be interested in Nahshon Wright, who made the Pro Bowl with five interceptions in Chicago last season. He now plays for the New York Jets without a role there. Wright said he is "definitely frustrated" by his lack of playing time.
An analyst called the deal early
Mike Ginnitti, an analyst at the contract-tracking site Spotrac, listed a Bears-Titans deal for Simmons among his five trade deadline blockbusters before it happened. Another of his picks has the Cincinnati Bengals acquiring Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.
Ginnitti wrote that the Bengals "aren't exactly known across the league as 'buyers'." He laid out the cost: a three-year, $36 million contract, partially guaranteed through 2027. Philadelphia would absorb $9 million in dead cap this season and $26.4 million in 2027.
Cincinnati has $7.2 million in cap space, and Barkley is owed $16 million in 2027 and $19.2 million in 2028. The Eagles are 2-6 this season. Whether either rumored deal happens will be settled by the deadline.
