The Chicago Bears announced that the club has acquired three-time AP All-Pro defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons in a trade with the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a 2027 first-round selection, a 2028 first-round selection and a 2027 fourth-round selection. The Bears will also receive a 2028 fifth-round selection from Tennessee.
Simmons arrives in Chicago after earning AP First-Team All-Pro honors last season, leading all NFL interior defensive linemen with a career-high 11.0 sacks and 17 tackles for loss. Since entering the league in 2019, Simmons owns 72 career tackles for loss, tied for the third-most by any interior defensive lineman in the NFL, and the fifth-most sacks by any interior defensive lineman in the league (46.5).
"We are excited to welcome Jeffery Simmons and his family to Chicago," said general manager Ryan Poles. "We extend our gratitude to the Tennessee Titans and Mike Borgonzi for their partnership and collaboration throughout this process. 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."
"Jeffery is one of the most respected players in the National Football League," said head coach Ben Johnson. "Jeffery has proven to be one of the most impactful run defenders and disruptive pass-rushers in the NFL, and yet, through his leadership, Jeffery will have the opportunity to create a positive impact across our entire team. We look forward to the work ahead."
Simmons has started 104 of his 106 regular-season games for Tennessee since being selected by the Titans in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft (19th overall). A six-time team captain for Tennessee, Simmons has registered 414 total tackles (239 solo) over his career, the third-most by any interior defensive lineman in the NFL since 2019, including 72 tackles for loss, as well as 31 passes defensed, nine forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. Simmons has totaled 24 career batted passes, the third-most by any interior defensive lineman in the NFL since entering the league in 2019.
Over his eight NFL seasons, Simmons has earned three AP All-Pro selections, including First-Team honors in 2025 after registering a career-high 17 tackles for loss and 11.0 sacks, both leading all NFL interior defensive linemen. Simmons has also appeared in five postseason outings (two starts), and in Tennessee's AFC Divisional Round matchup against Cincinnati (2021), Simmons set a single-game franchise record with 3.0 sacks.
A native of Macon, Miss., Simmons played in 38 career games (28 starts) over three seasons at Mississippi State (2016-18) and earned First-Team All-Southeastern Conference recognition in his final two seasons in Starkville. Simmons finished his collegiate tenure with 32.5 tackles for loss, the sixth-most in program history, and led the Bulldogs with 17 tackles for loss in 2018, earning AP All-America honors.
