Titans trade All-Pro tackle Jeffery Simmons to Bears for two first-round picks

Mixed · 2The Tennessee Titans traded All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears on Thursday 29 October. 1 2 Mixed · 2Chicago sends its 2027 and 2028 first-round picks and a 2027 fourth-round pick, and receives Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick. 2 3 Mixed · 2According to ESPN Research, as relayed by Newsweek and Fox News, Simmons is the first defensive tackle in the common draft era, which dates to 1967, to be traded for more than one first-round pick. Newsweek adds that it is also the first time Bears general manager Ryan Poles has given up multiple first-rounders in one trade. 3 2

Mixed · 2Simmons, 29, was drafted 19th overall by Tennessee in 2019 and earned first-team All-Pro honours last season with a career-high 11 sacks. Newsweek puts his career total at 46.5 sacks; Fox News says he is a four-time Pro Bowler with 414 tackles and 46.5 sacks in 106 games. 3 2 Mixed · 2In June the Titans gave Simmons a three-year, $105.8 million extension running through 2030, which Newsweek says included $100 million guaranteed. 3 2 Centre · 1Simmons had said he expected to stay: "I haven't heard anything from my agent, I haven't heard anything from this organization. As far as I know, I am going to be here." Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi later said Simmons "didn't want to leave" and that he discussed the deal with head coach Robert Saleh on Wednesday night after Poles contacted him. 3 1

Right · 1Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement the organisation was "forever grateful" for Simmons and praised his Give 'Em A Reason Foundation. 2 Mixed · 2The Bears are 5-2 and are seeking help on a defence that Fox News says has ranked near the bottom of the league in pressure rate; Newsweek says Simmons' 27% pass rush win rate leads all NFL defensive tackles this season, against 13% for Chicago's interior defenders. Fox News says defensive end Montez Sweat is due back Monday at Seattle after a two-game suspension. 3 2 Centre · 1Tennessee is 1-6, and Newsweek notes it is 7-34 since the start of the 2024 season and last made the playoffs in 2021. Newsweek reads the trade as a sign the Titans do not expect to contend soon. 1 4

Centre · 1Asked who is foundational now, Borgonzi named veterans and free agents such as Amani Hooker, John Franklin-Myers, Jermaine Johnson and Solomon Thomas, plus unnamed young players. Newsweek noted that he did not name quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 pick in 2025, who has 1,179 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions through seven games. 4 Centre · 1The NFL trade deadline is 10 November, and Newsweek frames the move as part of a busy trading period. 5