The Chicago Bears are pushing all of their chips in for the 2026 season and beyond. According to multiple reports, the Bears are acquiring All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Bears are also getting a 2028 fifth-round pick in return.
Simmons is one of the premier defensive linemen in the league. Selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Simmons became a game wrecker for the Titans and broke out in his third season with 8.5 sacks and 12 tackle for loss, while earning Pro Bowl honors for the first time.
Now in his eighth season, Simmons has totaled 46.5 sacks, the second-most among defensive tackles since 2020, trailing
only DeForest Buckner. He currently has four sacks, six tackles for loss, and 24 total pressures through seven games this season.
Simmons instantly elevates the entire Bears defense and gives them a true difference maker in the middle of their defensive line. It's the biggest trade the organization has made since acquiring Khalil Mack back in 2018, and it's the clearest sign yet that they are going for a Super Bowl title as early as this season. Here is how the NFL world reacted to the blockbuster move.
NFL world reacts to Bears' blockbuster trade for DT Jeffery Simmons
two firsts for simmons, atta boy ryan poles. terrific move. this is why you play.
— snorling (@sheanorling) October 29, 2026
Ahhh not gonna lie 2 firsts is a lot https://t.co/MSeB3DiNsm
— Ficky (@itsfickybaby) October 29, 2026
Since the Titans just extended Jeffery Simmons, the #Bears are getting him on an extremely team-friendly deal for Chicago.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) October 29, 2026
They only eat around $11M in 2027 cap space for acquiring Simmons. This allows them to still be aggressive this offseason.
Simmons is currently ranked 1st in the league in ESPN Pass Rush Win Rate.
— Ryan Paganetti (@RyanPaganetti) October 29, 2026
This deal should move Super Bowl odds. https://t.co/PRy5x40etM
Yeah I love this trade for the Bears. I get the price tag is steep, but the offense for Chicago is both Super Bowl caliber and very cheap rn. While you got the QB, TE and both WRs on rookie deals, go take the big swing and try and win right now before everyone gets pricey
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) October 29, 2026
— Tyler Aki (@TylerAki_) October 29, 2026
I get 2 first rounders is a lot but Jeffery Simmons is a dominant defensive player that anchors your entire Unit. You pray one of those firsts becomes half as good as Jeffery Simmons. Bears are going all in and I love it.
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) October 29, 2026
Jeffrey Simmons completely changes the Chicago Bears for the next several years. He’s one of the best defensive players in the league. The picks don’t bother me in the slightest, as I expect them to be late firsts.
— DaBearsBlog (@dabearsblog) October 29, 2026
Ryan Poles while everyone was panicking with two weeks left until the deadline pic.twitter.com/fRmRZhUDNp
— Chris Nano (@ChrisNanoSports) October 29, 2026
has been playing like a DPOY-caliber player for several seasons now, including this one.
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) October 29, 2026
holy shit lol https://t.co/Owdrr2wbuH
Simmons is a great player and upgrades the Bears defense immediately, but this is very expensive. Credit to the Bears for taking advantage of Caleb Williams rookie contract. This is what you have to do in today’s NFL. https://t.co/wpOivS9C4t
— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah) October 29, 2026
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH https://t.co/vySBEndlhB
— StartKyleOrton (@startkyIeorton) October 29, 2026
It’s an overpay. It’s the Khalil Mack trade 2.0. But the difference is that this time, the Bears have the quarterback. And the coach.
— Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) October 29, 2026
I still won’t go so far as to say this is them in win-now mode but I do think this is “look at the NFC right now, why can’t it be us?” mode.
I love the player hate the compensation. 2 first for a 30 year old. Man https://t.co/xwFitno0Hs
— Raul Bennington (@black_42) October 29, 2026
Two firsts and a fourth. Worth it if this is a Super Bowl move…. And I believe it is. #Simmons #Bears
— kyle (@Ky1eLong) October 29, 2026
https://t.co/kir0fnEGam pic.twitter.com/Ac7bupDlUC
— Olin kreutz (@olin_kreutz) October 29, 2026
one of the best quarterback/coach combinations on the planet, going all in for a Super Bowl, making zero apologies in the meantime. were here, finally pic.twitter.com/l7mSZPVcCW
— DOM (@DOM_Frederic) October 29, 2026
The goal is not to build a sustainably good team... it is to win a fucking Super Bowl.
— Conrad Sports Network (@DarrylConrad) October 29, 2026
Simmons is a move to win a Super Bowl.
I would rather win a Super Bowl and then be in cap hell for years... than to be the Packers.
Jeff Simmons is going to Chicago?!?!?!
— Will Compton (@_willcompton) October 29, 2026
That is a TON of compensation. Makes the Quinnen trade look better. https://t.co/uX9UjHa7yy
— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) October 29, 2026
Uh oh😆
— LB3 (@lutherburden3) October 29, 2026
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: NFL world reacts to Bears' blockbuster trade for DT Jeffery Simmons
