Chicago sent Tennessee two first-rounders and a fourth-round pick for the All-Pro defensive tackle, with a 2028 fifth-rounder coming back.
The Bears made their boldest move of the season, acquiring Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons in a trade finalized Thursday. Chicago is sending two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick to Tennessee, with the Titans sending back a 2028 fifth-round pick.
Simmons, a three-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, didn't see this coming. He told reporters Wednesday he hadn't heard anything suggesting a trade was in the works during the season. Titans GM Mike Borgonzi said he'd fielded calls about Simmons before but it was a late-night call Wednesday from Bears GM Ryan Poles that changed his mind. Poles was, in Borgonzi's words, the only one who directly asked "would you accept this?"
The move follows a pattern around the NFC, where contenders have been loading up on established talent, including the Seahawks landing Quenton Nelson and the 49ers adding DeForest Buckner. For Chicago, the addition immediately upgrades a defensive line that needed more interior pressure, and signals the Bears see themselves as real Super Bowl contenders right now. For Tennessee, it's the clearest sign yet that another rebuild is underway.