Bears Land Titans All-pro Simmons in Blockbuster Deal

WHO:

Bengals.com - Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki said of the Titans matchup, “You better be ready to go.”

Bengals.com - Bengals right guard Dalton Risner said, “I'm a next guy up,” and named John Franklin-Myers, Solomon Thomas and Nazir Stackhouse as capable defensive linemen.

Bengals.com - Bengals defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence recalled Clemson coach Dabo Swinney’s words: “November is what they remember.”

ESPN - Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi said he had not intended to trade Simmons and first considered it after Bears general manager Ryan Poles called him Wednesday night.

FOX Sports - Bears defensive lineman Montez Sweat was set to return from a suspension for Chicago’s Week 8 game against Seattle.

ESPN - Bears general manager Ryan Poles and Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi had worked together with the Kansas City Chiefs.

ESPN - Titans coach Robert Saleh discussed the trade with general manager Mike Borgonzi, and the two agreed it was a good move.

ESPN - Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk thanked Simmons in a statement, citing his contributions to Nashville and the Give ’Em A Reason Foundation.

ESPN - Simmons is set to reunite with Bears defensive end Montez Sweat, his former Mississippi State teammate.

ESPN - Tennessee plans to use veterans Solomon Thomas and John Franklin-Myers in the defensive tackle rotation after Simmons’ departure.

chicagobears.com - Jeffery Simmons was a six-time Tennessee team captain and was selected 19th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Heavy NFL - An anonymous NFC general manager reacted to the Bears’ trade for Simmons.

Sportskeeda - Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III reacted to the trade.

Yahoo Sports - The Chicago Bears acquired All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans.

Yahoo Sports - Bears general manager Ryan Poles was pictured before a game against the New York Jets at Soldier Field.

Yahoo Sports - Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi was identified in a caption about a media appearance at Vanderbilt Health Football Center.

Pro Football Network - The trade was described as a move by the Bears to support quarterback Caleb Williams and head coach Ben Johnson.

Heavy NFL - The trade could make an $18 million Chicago reunion unlikely; the article excerpt does not identify the person involved.

WHAT:

FOX Sports - Montez Sweat was named a 2023 Pro Bowl selection.

chicagobears.com - Chicago’s draft-pick page said it acquired Atlanta’s fifth-round pick along with defensive back Clark Phillips III in the Gervon Dexter Sr. trade.

FOX Sports - Simmons recorded one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, four passes defended and 38 combined tackles across Tennessee’s first seven games.

FOX Sports - In 2025, Simmons recorded 11.0 sacks, three forced fumbles and 67 combined tackles.

chicagobears.com - Simmons earned AP First-Team All-Pro honors in 2025; he had three AP All-Pro selections overall.

chicagobears.com - Simmons started 104 of 106 regular-season games and recorded 414 tackles, including 239 solo tackles.

FOX Sports - Chicago’s defense ranked third in opponent rushing yards at 87.6 per game, tied for seventh in sacks with 19, eighth in opponent total yards at 313.4 per game, tied for ninth in opponent points at 20.4 per game, and 18th in opponent passing yards at 225.9 per game.

FOX Sports - Simmons signed his three-year, $105.8 million extension in June.

ESPN - General manager Ryan Poles said the Bears had “constant dialogue” about what the team needed and were looking to improve for the current season and future years.

ESPN - The Bears’ standard pass rush had a 25% pressure rate over the past two seasons, behind the 49ers at 22%, the Panthers at 23% and tied with the Raiders at 25%.

chicagobears.com - Simmons’ college career at Mississippi State spanned 38 games, including 28 starts, over three seasons.

FOX Sports - Simmons recorded four passes defended in Tennessee’s first seven games.

Bengals.com - Bengals right guard Dalton Risner said, “I’m a next guy up,” and said Tennessee still had good players on its defensive line after Simmons’ departure.

Bengals.com - Bengals defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence recalled his college coach Dabo Swinney saying, “November is what they remember.”

Bengals.com - Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas was working toward returning from injured reserve after thumb surgery; he said his return would depend on how much pain he could tolerate.

chicagobears.com - The Bears said Simmons has 24 career batted passes, the third-most by an NFL interior defensive lineman since he entered the league in 2019.

FOX Sports - Simmons’ 2025 season included three forced fumbles and 67 combined tackles, both career highs.

ESPN - Simmons said he had not heard from the Titans or his agent about a possible trade and believed he would remain with Tennessee.

chicagobears.com - Simmons recorded 239 solo tackles and 32.5 tackles for loss during his college career at Mississippi State; his 32.5 tackles for loss ranked sixth in program history.

bengals.com - Bengals coach Zac Taylor called Simmons “really difficult in one-on-one situations and double-team situations” and said he was “really good against the run” and “good against the pass.”

FOX Sports - Simmons recorded one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and 38 combined tackles in Tennessee’s first seven games.

FOX Sports - Chicago’s defense ranked third in opponent rushing yards at 87.6 per game, tied for seventh in sacks with 19, eighth in opponent total yards at 313.4 per game, tied for ninth in opponent points at 20.4 per game, and 18th in opponent passing yards at 225.9 per game.

FOX Sports - Montez Sweat missed Chicago’s previous two games after violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substances policy.

FOX Sports - Simmons’ contract averaged $35.28 million annually, the third-highest average among NFL defensive tackles.

FOX Sports - Chicago had traded defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. to Atlanta for cornerback Clark Phillips III and a fifth-round pick; Dexter subsequently signed a four-year, $78 million extension with Atlanta.

ESPN - Simmons said he had not heard from his agent or the Titans organization about a possible trade and had no indication he might be moved.

ESPN - The Bears had added safety Coby Bryant and linebacker Devin Bush in free agency and drafted defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg in the sixth round before acquiring Simmons.

bengals.com - Bengals center Ted Karras said the team needed to prepare for Tennessee’s defensive line without Simmons; Mike Gesicki said, “You better be ready to go.”

bengals.com - Bengals had beaten Simmons’ teams in four of five matchups, including the 2021 AFC Divisional game, when he recorded three sacks against Joe Burrow.

bengals.com - In four regular-season matchups against the Bengals, Simmons recorded half a sack, 19 tackles, three tackles for loss and five quarterback hits.

ESPN - The Titans were 1-6 and the Bears were 5-2 when the trade was reported.

ESPN - Simmons had four sacks, six tackles for loss and four passes defended through seven games, leading the Titans in each category.

ESPN - Simmons recorded 96 quarterback hits over his eight NFL seasons; since 2019, his 46.5 sacks ranked second among defensive tackles, nine forced fumbles were tied for first, seven fumble recoveries ranked second, 31 pass breakups ranked second, 65.5 disrupted dropbacks ranked second, and 414 tackles ranked third.

ESPN - The Bears’ standard pass rush had a 25% pressure rate over the prior two seasons, fourth-lowest in the NFL; Chicago ranked 23rd in interior-defender pass-rush win rate at 13%, while Simmons’ 27% rate was the league’s highest among defensive tackles.

ESPN - Simmons played 86.6% of Tennessee’s defensive snaps.

ESPN - Simmons signed a three-year, $105.8 million extension, including $100 million guaranteed, that ran through the 2030 season.

ESPN - The trade was the first in the common draft era to send multiple first-round picks to acquire a defensive tackle, according to ESPN Research.

chicagobears.com - The Bears announced Simmons had earned three AP All-Pro selections, including First-Team honors in 2025.

chicagobears.com - Simmons recorded a career-high 11.0 sacks and 17 tackles for loss last season, leading NFL interior defensive linemen in both categories.

chicagobears.com - Simmons had started 104 of 106 regular-season games and recorded 414 tackles, 31 passes defensed, nine forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and 24 batted passes.

chicagobears.com - Simmons appeared in five postseason games; he set a Tennessee franchise single-game record with 3.0 sacks against Cincinnati in the AFC Divisional Round.

chicagobears.com - Ryan Poles said the Bears looked forward to Simmons’ “leadership and command”; Ben Johnson called him “one of the most respected players in the National Football League.”

chicagobears.com - Simmons played three seasons at Mississippi State, earning First-Team All-SEC recognition in his final two seasons and AP All-America honors.

Newsweek - Simmons had said, “I am going to be here” one day before the trade.

Pro Football Network - Jacob Infante graded the Bears’ trade an A and the Titans’ trade a B, describing Chicago’s move as a win for both teams.

Newsweek - The trade was the first offer for a defensive tackle of its kind since 1967.

Newsweek - The Bears released defensive end Jamree Kromah after acquiring Simmons.

Heavy NFL - Chicago parted ways with a 6-foot-3, 268-pound pass rusher to make room for Simmons.

Heavy NFL - Bears wide receiver Luther Burden and quarterback Case Keenum shared reactions to the Simmons trade.

Heavy NFL - Simmons is a four-time Pro Bowl selection.

Heavy NFL - The Titans were scheduled to visit Cincinnati for a game on November 1.

Yahoo Sports - The Bears sent the Titans first-round picks in 2027 and 2028 and a 2027 fourth-round pick for Simmons, and received a 2028 fifth-round pick.

RotoWire NFL - Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick went to Chicago in exchange for the two first-round picks and the 2027 fourth-round pick.

Yahoo Sports - ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the specific draft-pick years and the 2028 fifth-round pick returning to Chicago.

Yahoo Sports - The Bears needed an upgrade at defensive tackle after trading away Gervon Dexter before the season began.

Yahoo Sports - Chicago ranked 26th in run stop win rate and allowed the 10th-most rushing yards per attempt, according to ESPN.

Yahoo Sports - Pro Football Focus gave Simmons a 76.7 overall grade, 80.5 pass-rush grade, and 70 run-defense grade; those ranked 12th, fifth, and 16th among interior defensive linemen, respectively.

Yahoo Sports - Simmons had 20 run stops, leading his position; 24 total pressures, ranking third; and four sacks, ranking fifth.

Daily Mail NFL - The Bears were pursuing a marquee defensive acquisition while seeking a Super Bowl spot.

Pro Football Network - Analysts characterized the trade as “one of the most aggressive moves” and said it “speaks volumes about the trust in Ben Johnson.”

Pro Football Network - Reactions to the trade included “Time To Win a Super Bowl” and “Monster Deal.”

WHERE:

chicagobears.com - Simmons was born in Macon, Mississippi.

FOX Sports - The Bears’ Week 8 game against Seattle was scheduled to be played on the road.

Yahoo Sports - The trade involved the Chicago Bears and Tennessee Titans.

Yahoo Sports - Soldier Field is in Chicago; Vanderbilt Health Football Center was named as the location in the caption about Borgonzi.

WHEN:

Bengals.com - Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas said he was targeting a return for the Nov. 15 Sunday night game against the Steelers.

chicagobears.com - The Bears’ draft-pick page says Chicago traded its 2027 fifth-round pick to New England for offensive lineman Garrett Bradbury and acquired Atlanta’s fifth-round pick, along with defensive back Clark Phillips III, in the Gervon Dexter Sr. trade.

ESPN - Borgonzi said Poles called him Wednesday night about Simmons.

FOX Sports - Chicago’s Week 8 game against Seattle was scheduled for (Nov. 2).

WHY:

ESPN - Coach Ben Johnson said general manager Ryan Poles was examining every possible way to improve the team.

ESPN - Poles said the Bears were evaluating ways to improve the team for both the current season and future seasons.

bengals.com - Bengals players cautioned against treating the Titans game as an easy matchup, citing Tennessee’s remaining defensive linemen, including Nazir Stackhouse.

ESPN - Saleh said teams would begin pursuing Tennessee players after the Titans failed to close out games and reached a 1-6 record; he said the Bears’ offer was too substantial to refuse.

ESPN - Chicago’s interior defenders had struggled to generate pressure, and the Bears’ standard pass rush had produced one of the league’s lowest pressure rates.

Yahoo Sports - Chicago sought to improve its interior pass rush and run defense.

Yahoo Sports - The Titans were rebuilding and, according to the article, were at least a few years from competing; trading a player approaching 30 for draft picks supported that rebuild.

HOW:

FOX Sports - Tennessee traded Simmons two months after Chicago traded defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. to Atlanta for cornerback Clark Phillips III and a fifth-round pick; Dexter later signed a four-year, $78 million extension with Atlanta.

chicagobears.com - Simmons had 72 career tackles for loss, tied for third among NFL interior defensive linemen since 2019, and 46.5 sacks, the fifth-most in that group.

Yahoo Sports - The deal was made through a player-and-draft-pick exchange: Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick to Chicago for two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick.

Heavy NFL - Simmons’ potential debut against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football was posed as a question; the excerpt did not provide an answer.

The Bears acquired All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from Tennessee, strengthening Chicago’s defense. Simmons reunites with former teammate Montez Sweat, while Tennessee plans a veteran rotation. Chicago was 5-2, and Tennessee 1-6, when the blockbuster trade was reported.