Jeffery Simmons is out of the AFC South.
Made official Thursday afternoon, the Tennessee Titans traded the All-Pro defensive tackle to the Chicago Bears for the 2027 and 2028 first-round picks, plus a 2027 fourth-round pick. The Bears also picked up a 2028 fifth-round pick as part of the compensation.
The Bears (5-2) are looking to stay ahead of the curve in the competitive NFC North for another season, but the defense has been missing a spark. With a juggernaut offense, headlined by potential MVP candidate Caleb Williams, Chicago could sit by and not address its interior pass-rushing needs.
At 29, Simmons could be worth two first-round picks if Chicago wins its first Lombardi Trophy in over 40 years. The former 2019 first-round pick out of Mississippi
State spent his entire NFL career with the Titans, totaling 46.5 sacks, 72 tackles for loss and 96 quarterback hits. He was also named an All-Pro last season after posting a career-best 11 sacks.
Breaking: The Titans are trading All-Pro DT Jeffery Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick to the Chicago Bears, sources tell @AdamSchefter and @RapSheet.
— ESPN (@espn) October 29, 2026
Tennessee will receive 2027 and 2028 first-round picks and a 2027 fourth-round pick. pic.twitter.com/RQoJk6eKHi
"I told our guys, when you don't close out games and you're standing here at 1-6 teams are going to start fishing," Saleh said Thursday. "And eventually a team threw a hook big enough that I don't think any of us could have said no to."
As the team captain, Simmons was on his way to another All-Pro season in Nashville. The anchor of a 1-6 roster, his four sacks, six tackles for loss and four passes defended led all Tennessee defenders this season through seven games.
"There are few people like Jeff Simmons. We are forever grateful for all he has given this team and this city. His formidable presence on the field was surpassed only by what he did off it. He gave Nashville more than football. The Give 'Em A Reason Foundation has changed lives in Middle Tennessee and in Mississippi, and I have no doubt it will continue to wherever he goes. Jeff -- thank you. For how you played, how you led, and how you represented our team," Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement.
The Texans close out the regular season at Reliant Stadium against the Titans in January. Houston won the first matchup in a 27-6 beatdown at Nissan Stadium earlier this month.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans no longer to face Titans All-Pro DL Jeffery Simmons following trade to Bears
