The Chicago Bears have acquired All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans in a major trade ahead of the NFL’s November 10 deadline, according to multiple reports on Thursday.
Under the terms of the deal, the Bears receive Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick. The Titans receive the Bears’ 2027 and 2028 first-round picks, along with a 2027 fourth-round selection. Sources including ESPN’s Adam Schefter, The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones, and Tom Pelissero confirmed the transaction, which gives Chicago an immediate defensive boost while supplying Tennessee with significant future draft capital.
Simmons, 29, has been a cornerstone of the Titans’ defense since the team selected him 19th overall out of Mississippi State in the 2019 NFL Draft. A four-time Pro Bowl selection and All-Pro, he has amassed 46.5 career sacks and consistently ranked among the NFL’s top defensive tackles in pressures, tackles for loss, and overall impact. In 2026, through seven games with the 1-6 Titans, he recorded 38 tackles (20 solo) and 4.0 sacks while posting strong advanced metrics, including high PFF grades as both a pass rusher and run defender.
The Titans signed Simmons to a three-year, $105.8 million extension in June that made him one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in the league, with substantial guarantees. Trading him so soon after that deal underscores Tennessee’s commitment to a full rebuild under first-year head coach Robert Saleh. The franchise has struggled for multiple seasons and appears positioned for another high draft pick; dealing their best player accelerates the addition of future assets.
For the Bears, the acquisition addresses a clear need along the interior defensive line as they push for postseason success behind quarterback Caleb Williams. Simmons is expected to form a formidable pairing with existing talent such as Grady Jarrett, providing an immediate upgrade in both run defense and pass rush. Chicago’s front office, led by general manager Ryan Poles, has shown a willingness to make aggressive moves to support a young, ascending roster, and this trade signals a win-now approach.
From a salary-cap standpoint, the deal is workable for both sides in the short term. The Bears assume the remaining portion of Simmons’ 2026 base salary (paid on a per-game basis), resulting in a relatively modest hit for the rest of this season, while future years carry larger charges that will require ongoing roster management. Tennessee absorbs dead money from the recent extension but gains the flexibility and draft picks needed to reshape the roster.
Simmons had previously downplayed trade speculation, stating he had not heard from his agent or the organization and expected to remain in Nashville. The completed deal ends his seven-plus seasons with the Titans and begins a new chapter in Chicago.
The trade represents one of the biggest moves of the 2026 deadline window and shifts the competitive balance in both conferences: the Bears strengthen a key unit for the stretch run, while the Titans accelerate their long-term rebuild.
