Bears send two first-round picks to Titans for All-Pro defensive tackle
Chicago acquires Jeffery Simmons and a 2028 fifth-rounder in exchange for 2027 and 2028 first-round selections and a fourth-rounder.
By Rebecca Foster ·
The Chicago Bears are rebuilding their defense around veteran talent. On Thursday, the team acquired All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans.
A person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press that the Bears sent their first-round picks in 2027 and 2028 to Tennessee. Chicago also included a fourth-round selection in the 2027 draft. In return, the Bears received Simmons and a fifth-round pick in the 2028 draft. The individual spoke on condition of anonymity because the transaction had not yet been officially announced.
The move strengthens a unit that had shown inconsistency this season. The Bears, led by quarterback Caleb Williams, have won two consecutive games to reach a 5-2 record. They face the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night. Chicago is currently trailing the undefeated Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North division.
Head coach Ben Johnson has signaled that the front office is actively pursuing roster upgrades. General manager Ryan Poles and Johnson believe the team is positioned to compete for the franchise's first Super Bowl title since 1985. Johnson noted on Wednesday that the team maintains constant dialogue regarding current needs and long-term impact.
"That’s certainly Ryan’s domain, and yet we have constant dialogue of what this team needs and where we can impact ourselves not just this year but years in the future as well," Johnson said. "He’s turning over every stone that he possibly can to improve this football team just like he has ever since I’ve gotten in this building and I feel really good about our process."
Simmons, 29, recorded four sacks in seven games during the current season. He earned first-team All-Pro honors last year after posting a career-high 11 sacks in 15 contests. The defensive tackle adopted a focused mindset ahead of the trade, stating that he does not worry about factors outside his control.
"Each and every day I wake up, my goal is to just be where my feet are at," Simmons said. "I don’t worry about the things I can’t control. Them types of things are a distraction."
