ESPN: Bears Trade Two First-Round Picks, Fourth to Get Jeffery Simmons

Bears and Titans Used Myles Garrett Trade Framework for Jeffery Simmons Blockbuster

The Chicago Bears and Tennessee Titans executed a blockbuster NFL trade sending star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to Chicago, using the Cleveland Browns trade for Myles Garrett as the transactional framework for the deal, ESPN reported. The trade brings two first-round draft picks and a fourth-round selection to Tennessee.

Titans Trade Simmons for Multiple Chicago Draft Picks

Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi stated that the franchise was not actively shopping Simmons, but the magnitude of the Chicago offer proved impossible to ignore. According to Tennessee’s front office, the final package delivered to Nashville includes Chicago’s 2027 and 2028 first-round picks alongside a 2027 fourth-round selection in exchange for Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick.

The deal’s structure was based off the trade in which the Cleveland Browns received a 2027 first-round draft pick, a 2028 second-round pick, a 2029 third-round pick and star pass rusher Jared Verse. Tennessee evaluated Verse as the equivalent of a first-round selection, establishing a valuation model that Borgonzi and Bears general manager Ryan Poles utilized to finalize terms.

Sitting at a 1-6 record following back-to-back 3-14 seasons, Titans leadership concluded that accelerating the roster’s long-term rebuild through premium draft capital outweighed keeping a veteran star. Titans head coach Robert Saleh addressed the locker room regarding the departure, noting that the team’s struggles invited inquiries from around the league.

“Like I told our guys, when you don’t close out games and you are standing here at 1-6, teams are going to start fishing, and eventually a team threw a hook big enough I don’t think any of us could have say no to,” Saleh said.

Chicago’s All-In Approach Behind Caleb Williams

For the 5-2 Bears, acquiring Simmons represents a decisive push to maximize their competitive window around quarterback Caleb Williams. The Bears studied Super Bowl champions dating back to 2018 and noticed that each one had an elite defensive tackle.

Da Windy City reported that while Chicago also evaluated other interior options like DeForest Buckner before he landed with the San Francisco 49ers, Poles ultimately committed the necessary draft capital to secure Simmons. The 29-year-old defensive tackle recorded 11 sacks during the 2025 campaign and added four more through seven games this year.

Bears head coach Ben Johnson outlined immediate plans for integrating the newly acquired star ahead of a Monday night matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. While Simmons played 87 percent of defensive snaps for Tennessee across seven games this season, Johnson indicated the team will manage his initial workload.

“He might not be quite that high Week 1 for us, but he certainly has shown the ability to carry a load,” Johnson said.

Simmons joins a Chicago defense coordinated by Dennis Allen. Johnson expressed confidence in the veteran lineman’s ability to pick up the scheme quickly without overthinking on the field.

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