The Chicago Bears boosted their defensive front in a massive way on Thursday, as they struck a deal with the Titans to acquire standout defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons in a trade that will send two future first-round draft picks and a fourth-round draft pick to Tennessee.
The deal is historic, marking the first time since the common draft era began in 1967 that a defensive tackle has been traded for multiple first-round picks. It's a massive price to pay for what the Bears hope will be a legitimate solution to their run-defense woes, as they currently rank 26th in the NFL in run-stop win rate and allow the 10th-most rushing yards per game.
A first, literally: Jeffery Simmons is the first defensive tackle in the common draft era since 1967 to
be traded for multiple first-round picks. pic.twitter.com/EOrDCK5MCl
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 29, 2026
Bears acquire one of the top veteran defensive linemen in the NFL in Jeffery Simmons
Simmons is one of the league's best defensive tackles. He's a three-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler and currently leads the NFL at his position with 20 run stops this season. He has also recorded 24 quarterback pressures and four sacks so far this season. According to Pro Football Focus, he is the 12th highest-graded interior defensive lineman in the NFL this season.
The Titans, meanwhile, are clearly in the middle of a roster rebuild. They're clearly not ready to compete this season, and shipping Simmons to the Bears will allow them to clear out room financially for future investments –and with an additional first-round pick and a fourth-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, as well as a first-rounder in the 2028 NFL Draft, the Titans will have plenty of opportunities to make those investments.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Bears make NFL history with major Jeffery Simmons trade
