Jeffery Simmons Trade Is Official: How the Bears Deal Came Together and Why Critics Call It an Overpay

The Chicago Bears have made it official: All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is a Bear. The team announced the completed trade with the Tennessee Titans, and the conversation has now shifted from what Chicago paid to whether it was worth it.

As first reported Thursday, Chicago sent its 2027 and 2028 first-round picks and a 2027 fourth-round pick to Tennessee for Simmons and a 2028 fifth-rounder.

What did the Bears say about Simmons?

“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to add a player, and a human, like Jeffery to our team, and we look forward to Jeffery’s leadership and command as we continue to work toward sustained success,” general manager Ryan Poles said in the team’s announcement.

Head coach Ben Johnson called Simmons “one of the most respected players in the National Football League” and “one of the most impactful run defenders and disruptive pass-rushers in the NFL.”

The Bears’ release highlighted his résumé: AP First-Team All-Pro last season, when he led all interior defensive linemen with 11 sacks and 17 tackles for loss, plus 46.5 career sacks and 104 starts in 106 regular-season games since Tennessee drafted him 19th overall in 2019.

How did the Jeffery Simmons trade happen?

Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi said there had never been a previous attempt to trade Simmons during his tenure, according to Pro Football Rumors, citing TitanInsider.com. After Poles made his offer Wednesday night, Borgonzi discussed it with coach Robert Saleh and owner Amy Adams Strunk before accepting.

“It was really hard. I don’t think Jeff wanted to leave here,” Borgonzi said, via the Chicago Sun-Times as cited by Pro Football Rumors. “I think it’s also a great opportunity for him, too, as I told him. To go someplace here and have an opportunity to compete, now, for the Super Bowl.”

Pro Football Rumors also reported that up to three other teams called about Simmons, but Chicago’s offer won out.

What is Jeffery Simmons’ contract?

Simmons signed a three-year, $105.8 million extension with Tennessee in late June, only four months before the trade, Pro Football Rumors noted. That deal now moves to Chicago, so the Bears are taking on a major long-term salary commitment on top of the draft picks.

Did the Bears overpay?

Many analysts think so. ESPN graded the deal a “C” for Chicago and an “A” for Tennessee, Yahoo Sports reported. ESPN’s Seth Walder wrote that “there is a compensation limit where a trade ceases to make sense, and I think the Bears ran past it,” noting that Simmons, at 29, is the oldest of the recent non-quarterbacks traded for multiple first-round picks.

CBS Sports was kinder to Chicago, praising the Bears for going all-in, but added that “the only way this trade works out for the Bears is if they win a Super Bowl.” CBS said the move makes Chicago the front-runner in a division that includes the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings.

How does it compare to the Micah Parsons trade?

The Micah Parsons deal keeps coming up. CBS Sports said the pick haul is similar to what Dallas received for Parsons from Green Bay, but the Cowboys also got defensive lineman Kenny Clark, while Tennessee got no player of similar value back.

When is the NFL trade deadline?

The deadline is Nov. 10. Pro Football Rumors suggested the 1-6 Titans may not be done selling, though Borgonzi said he had not yet called anyone about other players.

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Earlier coverage: Bears Trade Two First-Round Picks to Titans for All-Pro DT Jeffery Simmons (Oct 29)