The Chicago Bears did not wait until the final hours of the trade deadline to make their move. They secured the best defensive player in the NFL two weeks before the deadline arrived. To acquire All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, General Manager Ryan Poles traded two first-round picks to the Tennessee Titans, according to Bleacher Nation. The Simmons trade stands apart from every other transaction that happened this week. While other teams swapped veterans for late picks, Chicago bought a cornerstone for the next four years.
The Cost of a Game-Wrecker
The price tag drew immediate criticism from some analysts. The Bears received a C grade from ESPN, which contended that the team exceeded the point where the compensation remained sensible. That cost comprised the 2027 and 2028 first-round picks alongside a 2027 fourth-rounder. The team did get a 2028 fifth-round pick back. But the value lies in who Simmons is, not just the draft capital spent. He is 29 years old and a four-time Pro Bowler. After logging a career-high 11 sacks last season, he secured his first first-team All-Pro nod. Prior to the trade, ESPN listed him as the interior lineman with the highest pass rush win rate. Seth Walder and Ben Solak at ESPN called him the best defensive tackle in the league, period. That assessment carries weight when looking at the rest of the board.
Simmons Versus The Rest
Other teams made moves for players who are past their prime. Kirk Cousins is now a Viking. Keenan Allen is a 49er. Josh Downs is in Kansas City. Marvin Harrison Jr. is in Houston. Jessie Bates is in Jacksonville. The best counterargument points to DeForest Buckner, who the 49ers landed for a 2027 fourth-round pick. Buckner is 32 and currently in the final year of his contract. This season, his pass rush win rate has fallen to the 45th percentile. That is down from the 90th percentile a year ago. He is a nice rental for a contender. Simmons is a player you build around for years. The 49ers paid for a few months of a good player. The Bears paid for years of a great one.
The contract situation adds another layer to the deal. The Titans had recently extended Simmons and had already paid the bonus. Consequently, Chicago owes him $7.94 million for the remainder of this season plus $26.95 million in future guarantees. Chicago now possesses a player who has accumulated 10 tackles, including three tackles for loss, in only two games. He has also recorded two sacks, two QB hits, and two pass breakups. His presence has demanded double teams, which opens the door for teammates like Montez Sweat and Austin Booker to feast. The Bears are 7-2 and sit atop the NFC North. If they keep winning, those two first-round picks will land somewhere in the high 20s.
