Chicago Bears acquire three-time AP All-Pro Jeffery Simmons
The Chicago Bears announced on Oct. 29, 2026, that the club acquired three-time AP All-Pro defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons in a trade with the Tennessee Titans. Chicago sent a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick to Tennessee in exchange for Simmons. The Bears will also receive a 2028 fifth-round selection from the Titans.
Simmons arrives in Chicago after earning AP first-team All-Pro honors in 2025 when he led all NFL interior defensive linemen with 11 sacks and 17 tackles for loss. Since entering the league in 2019, Simmons has recorded 72 tackles for loss, tied for the third-most by any interior defensive lineman over that span, and 46.5 sacks, the fifth-most among interior defensive linemen. He has been a disruptive presence against the run and as an interior pass rusher, attributes reflected in his recent All-Pro selections.
Simmons has started 104 of 106 regular-season games for Tennessee since being selected 19th overall in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He has compiled 414 total tackles (239 solo), 31 passes defensed, nine forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries during his career. Simmons has totaled 24 batted passes and has been a six-time team captain for Tennessee. He has appeared in five postseason games, including two starts, and in the Titans’ 2021 AFC Divisional Round game against Cincinnati he set a franchise single-game record with 3 sacks.
General manager Ryan Poles welcomed Simmons and his family to Chicago and thanked the Titans and Mike Borgonzi for their collaboration on the deal. Poles said the team was fortunate to add a player, and a human, like Jeffery, and that he looked forward to Simmons’ leadership and command. Head coach Ben Johnson praised Simmons as one of the most respected players in the National Football League and highlighted his ability as a run defender and disruptive pass-rusher who will provide leadership across the roster.
NFL Sports Blog Take
The Bears surrendered significant draft capital to acquire a proven interior playmaker, trading two future first-round picks and a fourth-round pick while receiving a fifth-round selection back. Jeffery Simmons enters Chicago coming off an AP first-team All-Pro season and ranks among interior defensive linemen in tackles for loss and sacks since 2019. Beyond his production, Simmons brings extensive starting experience and multiple seasons as a team captain, traits that typically translate to immediate on-field and locker-room impact. The trade signals the Bears are prioritizing an immediate upgrade to the defensive line rather than waiting on future drafts.