The Chicago Bears acquired All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans on Thursday in a major trade deadline deal, a move that quickly drew a brief but clear reaction from quarterback Caleb Williams.
Williams shared a two-word message on Instagram after the news broke: “Goodmorning world.”
The Bears, who entered the day at 5-2, sent their 2027 and 2028 first-round picks plus a 2027 fourth-round selection to Tennessee in exchange for Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
It marked the first time in the common draft era that a defensive tackle was traded for multiple first-round picks, ESPN Research noted.
Simmons, 29, has been one of the league’s most productive interior pass rushers. Through seven games this season he posted four sacks, six tackles for loss and nine quarterback hits while ranking first among qualified defensive tackles with a 27% pass-rush win rate, according to ESPN Analytics.
Pro Football Focus listed him with 24 total pressures, including 14 hurries, along with 24 solo tackles.
Over his career with the Titans he has recorded 46.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles and 30 passes defensed after being selected in the first round of the 2019 draft.
He earned first-team All-Pro honors last season on the strength of a career-high 11 sacks.
The financial side of the deal is substantial. Simmons signed a three-year, $105.8 million extension with Tennessee in June that runs through 2030 and includes $100 million in guarantees. His scheduled compensation is $7.9 million in 2026, $26.9 million in 2027, $29.8 million in 2028, $28 million in 2029 and $32 million in 2030, according to Spotrac’s Mike Ginnitti.
Chicago had explored other options at the position before landing Simmons. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Bears pursued Indianapolis defensive tackle DeForest Buckner but “didn’t feel comfortable with the draft capital Indy wanted.”
“Instead, they then pivoted to arguably the best DT in football in Simmons, with the feeling that he changes the entire complexion of the defense and makes them a bona fide Super Bowl threat,” Schultz wrote. “After hearing from as many as 3 other teams inquiring on Simmons, the Titans simply felt that Chicago’s offer had reached a price where ‘we could not say no anymore.’”
The Titans sit at 1-6 and are in the midst of another difficult season. Trading Simmons removes a player who had taken 86.6% of their defensive snaps and leaves them relying on a rotation that includes Solomon Thomas and John Franklin-Myers.
For the Bears the addition addresses an interior pass rush that had ranked 23rd in the league in win rate from defensive tackles. Pairing Simmons with the existing front should allow defensive coordinator Dennis Allen more flexibility.
Williams and the Bears offense have already shown efficiency this season. Through the games he has started, the 2024 first-overall pick has completed 71% of his passes for 1,020 yards with five touchdowns and one interception, posting a 105.6 rating.
The team opens its next stretch with a Monday night game against the Seattle Seahawks. Simmons is expected to be available for that contest, giving Chicago an immediate boost on the defensive line as it sits second in the NFC North behind the undefeated Minnesota Vikings.
The trade signals that general manager Ryan Poles views the current roster as close enough to contend that adding an established interior force outweighs the long-term draft cost. With Williams still on his rookie contract, the Bears have the flexibility to absorb Simmons’ remaining salary without immediate cap strain.
Whether the move elevates Chicago into the top tier of Super Bowl contenders will depend on how quickly Simmons integrates and how the defense responds to his presence up front. For now the acquisition stands as one of the most significant deadline deals of the 2026 season.
