Chicago Bears deemed kings of NFL trade deadline

Imagn Images

Chicago Bears deemed kings of NFL trade deadline

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Dan Fappiano | Last updated Nov 11, 2026 5:44 PM ET

With the NFL trade deadline come and gone, every team in the league knows where they stand. For the Chicago Bears, winning the Super Bowl has become a realistic possibility and the franchise’s main fixation.

To help amplify their odds, the Bears acquired All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons in a trade with the Tennessee Titans. The franchise was willing to pay a hefty price, two first-round and a fourth-round pick to be exact, for his services. But through his first two games with the franchise, Simmons has left no question as to why Chicago was so eager to trade for him.

The defensive tackle has already put up 10 tackles, two quarterback hits, sacks and passes defended. Simmons has immediately become the leader of the Bears defense, giving coordinator Dennis Allen a new dynamic to work with. Under contract through 2030, Chicago isn’t expecting that to change anytime soon.

There were plenty of deals on the actual trade deadline day, including quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings. But Simmons’ addition reigns supreme.

Chicago Bears nailed Jeffery Simmons trade

Nov 2, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) leaves the field after defeating the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Sitting at 5-2 prior to the Simmons trade, the Bears wanted to strike while the iron was hot. No matter the cost, Chicago went out a got a true difference maker on the defensive side. Because of that, the Simmons deal is considered the best trade that went down prior to the deadline, in the eyes of Austin Mock of the Athletic.

“It would have been easy to put a quarterback at the top, but I’m going against the grain,” Mock wrote. “The Bears have their guy at quarterback; they have a good offensive line and plenty of playmakers. What they lacked was a true star to lead their defense. They had some good players but no great ones. Well, now they have a great one. They have an All-Pro who can both rush the passer and blow up opponents’ running games. He’s a game-wrecker, and he gives the Bears a chance to be a top-10 defense. If that’s what they become, the Bears are legitimate Super Bowl contenders.”

If the Bears keep winning, the first-round draft pick will only fall further. It’s unlikely they would be able to find a player close to Simmons’ caliber at that point. For how important the draft has been building Chicago’s foundation, the franchise is always looking for talent. The opportunity to acquire Simmons was too good to pass up on.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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