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Bears land All-Pro Jeffery Simmons from Titans for two first-round picks

Chicago paid a rare price for a defensive tackle as it pushes for the playoffs, while 1-6 Tennessee starts to rebuild.

By Newsheir Staff, Newsroom

· 1 min read

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In this article
  1. A rare price for a defensive tackle
  2. Quick turnaround
  3. Two teams, two directions
  4. What's next

The Chicago Bears have acquired All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans in one of the biggest trades of the NFL season, sending two first-round draft picks to Tennessee.

Under the deal, announced by the Titans on Thursday, October 29, Chicago receives Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick. Tennessee receives the Bears' first-round picks in 2027 and 2028 and a 2027 fourth-round pick. The trade was agreed pending a physical.

A rare price for a defensive tackle

Teams rarely give up multiple first-round picks for a player who lines up in the middle of the defensive line. According to ESPN, Simmons is the first defensive tackle since 1967 to be traded for more than one first-round pick.

Simmons, drafted 19th overall by the Titans in 2019, has become one of the league's most disruptive interior linemen, capable of collapsing the pocket from the inside and stopping the run.

Quick turnaround

The deal came together fast. On Wednesday, Simmons stood in the Titans' locker room and said he expected to stay. Less than 24 hours later, he had been traded.

The Titans had rebuffed earlier trade inquiries, including one from the Bears during joint practices last summer. Bears general manager Ryan Poles, who previously worked with Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi at the Kansas City Chiefs, called Borgonzi on Tuesday night to reopen talks.

Two teams, two directions

The trade reflects where the two franchises are. Chicago is 5-2 and in the playoff race, and sees Simmons as the final piece for its defensive front. Tennessee is 1-6, and the two extra first-round picks give it more resources to rebuild around younger players.

What's next

Simmons could make his Bears debut quickly. Chicago's next test is a Monday night game against the Seattle Seahawks, who are coming off a win over the previously unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs.

For the Titans, attention turns to the remaining weeks before the NFL trade deadline, and whether more veterans could be moved as they look to the future.

Sources and references

  1. 1.Titans Trade DT Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears in Exchange for Two First-Round Picks — Tennessee TitansPrimary source
  2. 2.Titans Trade Jeffery Simmons to Bears for Two First-Round Picks a Day After He Said He'd Stay — Athlon Sports
  3. 3.Titans Trade DT Jeffery Simmons To Bears — Pro Football Rumors

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