The Chicago Bears are in contention for the NFC North, but with a crowded division, adding a difference maker by the NFL trade deadline would make a lot of sense.
Under two weeks to go before the deadline, the Bears have made their move. But, it wasn't a simple deal for a rental defensive lineman, Ryan Poles pulled off a blockbuster.
According to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer, the Bears are trading for Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons, and it's for a steep cost as well. SO, why are the Bears trading for Simmons? It's simple: he's a game-wrecker and just what this DL needs.
Why Bears are trading for Jeffrey Simmons from Titans
"Blockbuster! The Titans are trading All-Pro DT Jeff Simmons to the Bears, sources tell @ringer @netflixsports," Pelissero reported Thursday morning.
Not long after the initial report came out, Pelissero revealed the price of such a massive trade: "The Bears are sending two first-round picks and a fourth-rounder to the Titans for Jeff Simmons. A monster deal."
It's a huge trade for the Bears, as they're adding maybe the best defensive player who could've been available at this year's trade deadline.
Instead of spending two first-round picks on Maxx Crosby over the offseason, Poles has waited until just before Week 8 begins to swing a blockbuster trade for Simmons. In all, the Bears are getting Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick for a 2027 and 2028 first-round pick, and a 2027 fourth-round pick.
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The reason why the Bears are trading for Simmons? He's among the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL. He also just signed a three-year, $108.5 million extension before the season began.
The Bears are getting Simmons, a four-time Pro Bowler and one-time First-Team All-Pro defensive tackle at a steep cost, but he's locked in for the next few seasons and, at 29 years old, is still a force to be reckoned with.
Through seven games in 2026, Simmons has 4.0 sacks, six tackles for loss, and nine quarterback hits. He is coming off an 11-sack season in 2025, and he has an impressive 46.5 sacks since his 2019 rookie season.
There likely wasn't a better player the Bears could've added at this year's trade deadline, and with a real chance of winning it all this year and for the next couple of seasons, Poles has decided to swing for a home run with this massive trade for Simmons.
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